The group stage has wrapped up, and the playoff stage of IEM Krakow 2026 kicks off tomorrow, February 6. After an intense opening phase, six teams remain in the hunt for the trophy. Two of them have secured direct spots in the semi-finals, while the other four must battle through the quarter-finals to keep their championship hopes alive.
In the quarter-finals, FURIA will face Aurora, while G2 takes on MOUZ. The winners of those matchups will advance to the semi-finals, where Vitality and Spirit are waiting. Below, we break down the playoff format, schedule, and take a closer look at the favorites and underdogs heading into the decisive stage of the tournament.
Contents
- 1 IEM Krakow 2026 Playoff Stage Format
- 2 Playoff Stage
- 3 IEM Krakow Brackets, Teams, Favorites & Underdogs
- 4 Vitality – The Team to Beat
- 5 Spirit – Strong Grand Final Contenders
- 6 Dark Horses – FURIA & G2
- 7 MOUZ & Aurora – Outsiders with Upset Potential
- 8 How to Watch IEM Krakow 2026 Playoff Stage
- 9 The Final Challenge: Can Anyone Stop Vitality?
IEM Krakow 2026 Playoff Stage Format
Playoff Stage
- Single-Elimination bracket
- All matches (excl. Grand Final) are Bo3
- The Grand Final is Bo5
IEM Krakow Brackets, Teams, Favorites & Underdogs
Vitality – The Team to Beat
Vitality enters the playoffs as the clear favorites to win it all. Their group stage performance was nothing short of dominant, as they didn’t drop a single map and looked several steps ahead of their competition. Facing either G2 or MOUZ in the semi-finals, Vitality will be heavily favored on paper and in form. Their structure, firepower, and confidence make them the benchmark every other team must measure itself against.
Spirit – Strong Grand Final Contenders
On the opposite side of the bracket, Spirit also impressed during the group stage, losing only one map against G2 on their path to the playoffs. They will face either FURIA or Aurora, and given the inconsistency shown by both potential opponents, Spirit is widely expected to secure a spot in the Grand Final. Their current form suggests a team peaking at the right time.
Dark Horses – FURIA & G2
FURIA and G2 both enter the playoffs as dangerous dark horses. FURIA closed out last year with multiple trophies and has shown that they can rise to the occasion in high-pressure matches. G2, meanwhile, looks motivated, hungry, and in strong form, making them a serious threat to any team if they find momentum early.
MOUZ & Aurora – Outsiders with Upset Potential
MOUZ sits somewhere between dark horse and underdog. While they haven’t shown their best form recently, they remain capable of upsetting stronger teams on a good day. Aurora, however, is the clear underdog of the playoffs. While a quarter-final or even semi-final upset isn’t impossible, it’s difficult to imagine them lifting the trophy with so many elite teams standing in their way.
How to Watch IEM Krakow 2026 Playoff Stage
The IEM Krakow 2026 will be streamed live for viewers worldwide. You can enjoy every thrilling moment at home, at work, or on the go.
There will be official Twitch, YouTube streams:
The Final Challenge: Can Anyone Stop Vitality?
As the playoff stage begins, one thing is clear: Vitality stands as the best team in the world right now. Their flawless group stage run and overwhelming form make them the favorites to lift the trophy in Krakow. However, the road to the championship will be anything but easy. Spirit, G2, FURIA, MOUZ, and Aurora all have their own ambitions, and every one of them will give everything they have to stop Vitality from completing their run and claiming the title. The stage is set for a thrilling finish to IEM Krakow 2026.
