IEM Beijing 2026: Key Favorites and Storylines of the Qualifier Series

From September 2 to 4, qualifier tournaments for Intel Extreme Masters Beijing 2026 are taking place across two regional series — Global and Asian. The qualifiers occupy a small window in a tight esports calendar between the group stage and playoffs of the BLAST Bounty Open tournament.

Only one ticket to the main event is at stake in each series: one slot is up for grabs in the global qualifier and one in the Asian qualifier.

Five Favorites of the Global Qualifier

16 teams are competing in the global qualifier bracket. Despite the presence of many Tier-2 squads, several participants demonstrate top-tier performance:

• B8 — The young roster stood out with a sensational victory over two-time Major champions Team Vitality at the Esports World Cup 2026, sending them to the group lower bracket. In their qualifier bracket, B8 could potentially face DENDELE CS, paiN Gaming, and BIG.
• paiN Gaming — The Brazilian team reached the top 8 at BLAST Bounty Summer 2026 and successfully passed the qualifier where favorites like NAVI, Falcons, and Vitality failed.
• GamerLegion — The team approached the qualifier with strong results: reaching the grand final at IEM Atlanta 2026 and placing in the top 4 at BLAST Rivals Spring 2026.
• BIG — The German organization is known for its unpredictability. At the IEM Cologne Major, in a decisive match against NRG on Mirage, the team came back from a 0:12 scoreline, winning 16 rounds in a row to finish 16:12.
• 3DMAX — The French squad demonstrates an aggressive playstyle and recently reached the top 8 at BLAST Bounty Summer 2026 by defeating FUT Esports. The team enters the tournament against the backdrop of news regarding delayed salary payments to players.

Asian Qualifier and Participants

The Asian qualifier features 8 teams. Among the main contenders for the single ticket is one of the strongest rosters in the region, TYLOO, as well as Lynn Vision Gaming, who made Falcons sweat during BLAST Open Fall 2026 Groups. The bracket also features The Huns, continuing the traditions of Mongolian CS, and FlyQuest, aiming to return to the Tier-1 level.

Main Event and Where to Watch

Official broadcasts of both qualifiers are available on the ESL Counter-Strike YouTube channel.

The qualifier winners will join invited participants at the main event of IEM Beijing 2026, including NAVI, FaZe Clan, MOUZ, Team Falcons, G2 Esports, Team Liquid, FURIA, and others. The main event itself will take place from November 2 to 8. Prior to heading to China, teams will also attend ESL Pro League Season 24, running from October 3 to 11 at the Spodek Arena in Katowice.

As a reminder, r1nkle on playing for G2: "I take the opportunity to perform on the Tier-1 scene extremely seriously."