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IEM Cologne Major Hub, Viewer Pass, and fixes (May 22, 2026)

The IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub is live — purchase tournament items and the Viewer Pass, play the Pick'Em Challenge, and find gameplay and item/visual fixes.

Quick read

  • IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub is available with tournament items and the `Pick'Em Challenge`.
  • Purchase a `Cologne 2026 Viewer Pass` to receive an upgradable `Cologne 2026 Coin`, upgrade it and earn rewards via the `Pick'Em Challenge`, and appear on the Active Pass Leaderboard.
  • Gameplay fixes: corrected scoreboard timeline in overtime, fixed pickup hint text on certain weapon entities, and increased spectator in-eye flash amount.
  • `Souvenir` quality items can be selected in `Trade Up Contract` but will have all `Souvenir` attributes removed; the contract yields a single normal item of the next higher quality from the selected collections.
  • Misc fixes: tire fire particle flicker in advanced video preview fixed; finger animation on `Bayonet` model adjusted.

The IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub is now available. This update adds the tournament hub and Viewer Pass features, plus several gameplay, item, and visual fixes.

IEM Cologne Major Hub

  • Visit the IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub to purchase tournament items, play the Pick'Em Challenge and more.
  • 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.

Gameplay fixes

  • Fixed: Incorrect scoreboard timeline presentation in overtime.
  • Fixed: Weapon entities disallowing pickup from showing pick up weapon hint text.
  • Changed: Increased spectator in-eye flash amount.

Items and visual fixes

  • Change to Trade Up Contract: Souvenir quality items can now be selected in Trade Up Contract 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.
  • Fixed: Tire fire particles flickering in the advanced video preview.
  • Adjusted: Finger animation on Bayonet model.
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