The excitement is building as major changes are underway for the 2026 Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) China. ESL, a leading name in esports tournament organization, has made a significant adjustment to the Club Rewards allocation for this event. With a move designed to enhance the prestige and competitive stakes of the tournament, ESL is poised to create an unforgettable experience for participants and fans alike.
ESL has announced a reshuffle of the $250,000 (~£186,000) Club Reward from IEM Major Cologne to IEM China, boosting the latter’s Club Reward to $950,000 (~£708,000). According to sources, this decision is tied to IEM Cologne’s status as a Major in the 2026 season, with prize distributions set by Counter-Strike 2’s developer, Valve. With a total prize pool of $1.25 million (~£929,000) for Cologne, Club Rewards will not be part of the package, unlike IEM China, where the total prize pool now stands at $1 million (~£743,000).
Prize Distribution Adjustments
The redistribution of funds brings forth notable changes in prize allocations for IEM China. The championship team will walk away with $125,000 (~£92,900) in prize money and an additional $235,000 (~£175,000) in Club Rewards. The runner-up secures $50,000 (~£37,150) and $160,000 (~£118,900) in Club Rewards, while the third-place team takes home $30,000 (~£22,300) plus $130,000 (~£96,590) in Club Rewards. These changes are part of ESL’s broader strategy, which still involves offering $3.8 million (~£2.8 million) in Club Rewards across seven sanctioned events in 2026.
IEM China 2026
Set to unfold as an epic offline event from November 2nd to 8th, 2026, IEM China promises thrilling competition. Thirteen teams, drawn from the Valve Regional Standings as of August 2026, will be invited. This includes representatives from North America, South America, Asia, and ten from the Global standings. Two teams will emerge from the Global Qualifier, and one from the Asian Qualifier, completing the lineup.
The tournament structure features two stages: an initial Group Stage with two GSL groups in a double-elimination format, followed by intense Playoffs leading to a best-of-five Grand Final. This setup ensures fans will witness top-tier Counter-Strike 2 action in all its glory.