Dota 2
CS2
Get rdy: Competitive guide for January 30th-February 5th
The weekend is almost here and that usually means events and competitive matches are in full swing. With this season's packed schedule it is easy to miss something, so we've compiled a weekly planning guide to keep track of what is going on.
Counter-Strike 2
IEM Krakow 2026
IEM Krakow 2026 is the first big event of 2026 and the players have arrived in Poland. 24 teams are on hand to compete for the lion's share of the $1,000,000 prize between January 28-February 8th.
For the opening games, 16 teams become eight and it's a simple case of two wins and you're in, two losses and you're out. That means each game is important.
Every team in this stage has a hell of a lot to prove - to themselves, to us, and to the wider Counter-Strike world. PARIVISION and B8 are the two highest Valve-ranked teams in the first stage.
Play-In:
- Double-Elimination bracket
- All matches are Bo3
- The top eight teams advance to the Group Stage
Group Stage:
- Two double-elimination format (GSL) Groups
- Each group has eight teams
- All matches are Bo3
- The top three teams from each group advance to the Playoffs:
- Group stage winners advance to the Semifinals
- Group stage runners-up advance to the Quarterfinals as the High Seeds
- Group stage 3rd place teams advance to the Quarterfinals as the Low Seeds
Playoffs:
- Single-Elimination bracket
- All matches (excl. Grand Final) are Bo3
- The Grand Final is Bo5
Dota 2
FISSURE Universe: Episode 8
All eyes will be on the newest installmenet of the Universe series. The online event will run in Europe from January 29 to February 1, serving as the first real measuring stick of 2026. Eight teams will clash in a double-elimination bracket for a $250,000 prize pool. Not only is FISSURE Universe: Episode 8 the first tournament of the 2026 year, it also is a weekend warrior so there is no room for slow starts or “warming up into form.”
Among the invited teams are Team Yandex, one of the scene’s best feel-good stories, and MOUZ, whose roster rebuild didn’t just stabilize them, it unlocked a higher gear. Both will be in the mix as the new season kicks off in earnest.
Team Spirit, Team Liquid, and BetBoom Team were also directly invited to compete. Aurora Gaming, Power Rangers and Strong Boys slid into their spots from the play-in stage that ended yesterday.
FISSURE Universe: Episode 8 Main Event
- January 29th - February 1st
- Double-elimination bracket
- All matches are Bo3
- Grand Final is Bo5
BLAST Slam VI
BLAST Slam VI: Malta kicks off on February 3 and continues through the 15th. Twelve teams will converge on the island to compete for a $1,000,000 prize pool and the coveted Slam trophy, all while challenging Tundra Esports' dominance over the circuit.
The Group Stage, Play-ins and last Chance Playoffs will be played online from February 3rd to 8th. The Group Stage will span over three days, while Play-Ins will feature 2 BO3s per day on a solo stream. Beginning with BLAST Slam VI in Malta, the entire LAN playoff stage will be an endurance battle, as every series, from the opening quarterfinals to the grand finals, will be played in a best-of-five(Bo5) format.
Group Stage (February 3rd to 5th, 2026)
- 12 Team Round Robin
- All macthes are best-of-one (Bo1)
- 66 matches in total
- Top 2 Teams advance to the Playoffs
Qualifiers
ESL Challenger CN
ESL Challenger CN is an offline event that serves as qualifiers for both ESL One Birmingham 2026 and DreamLeague Season 28. Eight teams will be competing to claim the first place spot that grants access to BOTH of the events.
The qualifiers take place over the weekend from January 30th-February 1st.
- Double-elimination bracket
- All matches are Bo3 except the Grand Final (Bo5) and Round 1 (Bo1)
- Winner qualifies to DreamLeague Season 28 and ESL One Birmingham 2026
- Xtreme Gaming have already qualified to DreamLeague Season 28 and ESL One Birmingham 2026 due to their position on the EPT Leaderboard. Should they win the tournament, the runner-up will qualify to both tournaments. (Don't question why they are participating anyway).
Regional Affairs
Local and regional fans have some treats on the menu this week.
South America
CCT Season 2: South America Series 2 will take place between January 21-31st. A total of 12 teams will compete online in a modified GSL format/Double Elimination bracket for a slice of the $20,000USD prize. Peru Rejects and Amaru Gaming are sure to pique interest.