ESL has shared its plans for the 2026 competitive season, unveiling a schedule with six LAN events spanning from January to November. However, a notable break in the mid-year calendar has sparked speculation about the possibility of ESL hosting a Major at IEM Cologne.
The newly released ESL calendar 2026 outlines six tournaments, one fewer than the organization hosted in 2025. A significant gap between May and September has drawn attention, as it aligns with the typical timing of IEM Cologne, which usually takes place in late July or early August. This timing fuels theories that the iconic event might be upgraded to Major status.
The 2026 Summer Major is scheduled for June 8-21. These dates, however, may shift due to the expansion of the Majors to accommodate 32 teams, creating further speculation about how ESL’s mid-year break fits into the broader competitive calendar.
Here are the six ESL events confirmed for 2026:
- Event 1: January 27-February 8
- Event 2: February 23-March 15
- Event 3: April 12-19
- Event 4: May 10-17
- Event 5: September 21-October 11
- Event 6: November 1-8
With this announcement, ESL joins PGL, BLAST, and StarLadder in disclosing their event schedules for 2026. The Romanian-based PGL has already gone further by naming the host cities for four of its six planned events: Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest, Astana, and Belgrade.
Meanwhile, ESL’s 2025 season will kick off with IEM Katowice on January 29. The organization recently revealed updates to its ESL Pro Tour, including the Annual Club Incentive launch and a revamped prize structure designed to offer greater financial rewards to competing organizations. These changes further bolster the appeal and competitiveness of ESL tournaments.
