Valve has launched the IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub, bringing significant changes to how fans can acquire tournament items and support their favorite teams. The Major is fast approaching, and with it comes a completely revamped Major Shop, a new Souvenir-O-Matic system, and the familiar Pick'Em Challenge.
The 2026 Cologne Major Shop
The biggest change is the overhaul of the Major Shop. Players can now directly purchase any sticker they desire, eliminating the capsule system. Prices for stickers will dynamically adjust based on demand: high demand increases a sticker's price, while low demand decreases it. To mitigate price drops, Valve is offering a refund policy: if a sticker's price drops by more than 25 tokens within 24 hours of purchase, players will receive a token refund for the difference.
To facilitate these purchases, a new token system has been introduced. Players will purchase tokens, which are then redeemed for stickers. This system, while slightly less direct than outright payment, is designed to ensure sticker prices accurately reflect real demand and allows players in regions previously unable to purchase capsules to participate.
Souvenir-O-Matic
Fans can now craft their own Souvenirs. By selecting any normal or Souvenir quality weapon from their inventory, a completed match, and a player from that match, players can convert their weapon into a Souvenir quality item. This process applies gold team, autograph, and map stickers to the weapon. Souvenir prices are determined by the demand for the specific gold team and autograph stickers, as well as the rarity of the chosen weapon.
Pick'Em Challenge and Viewer Pass
Purchasing and activating a Cologne 2026 Viewer Pass grants players a 2026 Cologne Major Challenge Coin. This coin can be upgraded from Bronze to Silver, Gold, or Diamond by playing the Pick'Em Challenge. Each upgrade awards 300 tokens, redeemable for stickers or souvenirs. An active pass also places players on the Active Pass Leaderboard, allowing them to compare their Pick'Em performance with friends.
Supporting the Teams: New Royalty Distribution
As with previous Majors, 50% of tournament item sales are shared with the Tournament Organizer, Teams, and Players. However, the royalty rates now depend on performance. Before the Grand Final, royalties are based on teams' VRS seeding. After the Major, they will be based on the final standings. Half of the team's royalties go to the organization, and the other half is split equally among the five players.
Counter-Strike 2 Update Highlights
Alongside the Major Hub, a new Counter-Strike 2 update includes several fixes and adjustments:
- MAJOR: The IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub is now available.
- MAJOR: Purchase a Cologne 2026 Viewer Pass to receive an upgradable Cologne 2026 Coin. With an active pass, you can upgrade your coin and earn rewards by playing the Pick'Em Challenge. Additionally, you will show up on the Active Pass Leaderboard where you can compare your Pick'Em Challenge performance to your friends.
- UI: Fixed a case of incorrect scoreboard timeline presentation in overtime.
- UI: Fixed weapon entities disallowing pickup from showing pick up weapon hint text.
- UI: Increased spectator in-eye flash amount.
- MISC: Souvenir quality items can now be selected in Trade Up Contracts alongside normal quality items. All Souvenir attributes will be removed from any souvenir items selected, and the result of a Trade Up Contract will be a single normal item of a quality one higher, from a collection of all of the items selected for exchange.
- MISC: Fixed a case where tire fire particles were flickering in the advanced video preview.
- MISC: Adjusted finger animation on Bayonet model.
