IEM Cologne Major 2026 most-watched Counter-Strike event

IEM Cologne Major 2026 reached 76.2 million Hours Watched before the Grand Finals, making it the highest watch-time total in Counter-Strike history. The figure was recorded on June 19, 2026, while the tournament remained ongoing.

A viewership tracker recorded the number and noted totals will continue to rise as the event concludes. The measurement excludes viewership from Chinese streaming platforms and Steam TV.

Organizers ran Stage 3 as best-of-three matches throughout for the first time in Counter-Strike history. That change increased the average match length and added more live broadcast hours. Recent Majors have used an expanded field and three consecutive 16-team Swiss stages, which increased the total competitive content available across events.

Regional broadcasts contributed to the total. Russian-language streams exceeded their Austin Major 2025 showing. Spanish-language coverage reached a new peak for Counter-Strike viewership. European, Russian-speaking, Brazilian and Hispanic audiences were well represented, and teams with strong Turkish support attracted additional regional viewers. The Playoff bracket included teams with broad appeal that maintained interest into the late stages.

By Hours Watched, the top Counter-Strike events now rank: IEM Cologne Major 2026 at 76.2 million; the Austin Major 2025 at about 76.13 million; Budapest Major 2025 at about 71.32 million; Stockholm Major 2021 at about 71.27 million; and IEM Rio Major 2022 at about 69.52 million.

The viewership tracker will update totals and publish revised figures after the Grand Finals and as final data from the event are collected.