The Players team has prepared a digest of the main news for January 30, 2026.
All Participants of the Main Stage of IEM Kraków 2026 Confirmed — BC and FUT Advance
- The final matches of Stage 1 of IEM Kraków 2026 in CS2 have concluded. The full list of teams advancing to the group stage is now known. Overall, the teams that made it through Stage 1 to the group stage are VP, G2, 3DMAX, NRG, Astralis, BC Game, FUT, and Aurora.
PMGO 2026 Season 1 format and slot distribution announced
- PUBG Mobile Esports has revealed details about the first season of the PUBG Mobile Global Open (PMGO) 2026. The tournament will take place from June 2 to June 7 and will feature 32 teams. PMGO 2026 will consist of three stages.
Estimated salaries of top CS2 teams revealed
- Approximate salary budgets of top CS2 teams have become known. The figures are not official — they are estimates based on conversations with industry representatives and reflect only monthly spending on players. Falcons spend the most, around $240,000–260,000 per month. The organization has effectively set a new financial benchmark for CS2 by assembling a roster expected to compete for victory at every tournament.
Roblox game “Steal A Brainrot” to receive a feature-length film adaptation
- Story Kitchen studio has signed a deal with the creators of the viral Roblox hit “Steal A Brainrot” to develop a feature film. This was reported by Deadline. While plot details are being kept under wraps, Story Kitchen hinted that the movie will retain the game’s “chaotic, fun, and often absurd spirit.” The game’s creators will take an active role in the project as producers.
Austria’s Supreme Court rules that EA FC packs are not gambling
- Austria’s Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling in favor of Electronic Arts. It determined that packs in the Ultimate Team mode of EA Sports FC are not considered illegal gambling.
American talent receives permanent FACEIT ban for ban evasion
- American player slump, recently included by HLTV in its list of the top 50 most promising talents (48th place), has been permanently banned on FACEIT for “ban evasion.” Such punishment is typically given to players who used an alternative account that had previously been banned for cheating, smurfing, or other violations of the platform’s rules.