Another S-tier Counter-Strike 2 tournament is here as IEM Rio 2026 begins today, April 13, and runs through April 19. Sixteen teams will compete for a massive $1 million prize pool, making this one of the most important events of the season so far.
Top-tier teams such as Team Vitality, Natus Vincere, Team Spirit, MOUZ, and FURIA return to action after missing PGL Bucharest 2026. The big question once again is: can anyone stop Vitality, or will they claim yet another trophy?
In this article, we break down the format, schedule, teams, and our picks for favorites and underdogs.
Contents
IEM Rio 2026 Teams, Favorites & Underdogs
IEM RIO 2026 Participating Teams
| Vitality | Natus Vincere |
| FURIA | Falcons |
| Aurora | MOUZ |
| Spirit | G2 |
| Legacy | 3DMAX |
| B8 | Liquid |
| Passion UA | RED Canids |
| Gentle Mates | HOTU |
IEM Rio 2026 Main Favorites
Unsurprisingly, Team Vitality enters the tournament as the clear favorite. They’ve already secured three titles this year and remain dominant, currently riding a 16-match win streak and a 19-map win streak. At this point, they are widely considered the best team in the world.
Joining them among the contenders:
- Natus Vincere – winners of ESL Pro League Season 23 Finals
- FURIA
- Falcons
- MOUZ
- PARIVISION – champions of BLAST Bounty 2026
These teams have shown the closest level to Vitality and are capable of challenging for the title.
IEM Rio 2026 Dark Horses
Several teams could surprise:
- Team Spirit – backed by experience and elite individual talent
- Aurora – consistent top-10 team, recently reached a grand final at ESL Pro League Season 23
- B8 – strong recent form with wins over higher-ranked opponents and a playoff appearance at PGL Bucharest 2026
On a good day, any of these teams can upset the favorites.
IEM Rio 2026 Underdogs
Teams like Team Liquid and G2 Esports fall into the underdog category despite their star power. Both squads are still adjusting after roster changes and have struggled to make deep playoff runs.
Legacy has picked up some notable wins recently but lacks consistency against top-tier opposition.
The remaining teams in the tournament are currently a step behind in terms of results, consistency, and experience at the highest level.
IEM Rio 2026 Opening Matches Schedule
April 13
- Vitality vs. RED Canids and Gentle Mates vs. G2 starting at 15:00 CET
- Spirit vs. Liquid and 3DMAX vs. Falcons starting at 17:30 CET
- B8 vs. Natus Vincere and Legacy vs. MOUZ starting at 19:00 CET
- FURIA vs. Passion UA and Aurora vs. HOTU starting at 22:30 CET
How to Watch IEM Rio 2026
The IEM Rio 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 and YouTube streams:
- IEM Rio 2026 Official Twitch Primary Stream
- IEM Rio 2026 Official YouTube Stream
- IEM Rio 2026 Official Twitch Secondary Stream
The Big Question: Can Anyone Stop Team Vitality at IEM Rio 2026?
IEM Rio 2026 promises top-tier CS2 action with a stacked lineup of teams and compelling storylines. All eyes will be on Team Vitality as they look to extend their dominance, but with several strong contenders and dangerous dark horses in the mix, this tournament could still deliver surprises.
Will Vitality continue their reign, or will a new champion rise in Rio?
