{"id":36101,"date":"2026-04-13T12:22:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T12:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/?p=36101"},"modified":"2026-04-13T12:23:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T12:23:29","slug":"iem-rio-2026-kicks-off-teams-format-favorites-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/news\/cs-2\/iem-rio-2026-kicks-off-teams-format-favorites-more\/","title":{"rendered":"IEM Rio 2026 Kicks Off: Teams, Format, Favorites & More"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Another S-tier Counter-Strike 2<\/a><\/strong> tournament is here as IEM Rio 2026<\/a><\/strong> begins today, April 13<\/strong>, and runs through April 19<\/strong>. Sixteen teams will compete for a massive $1 million prize pool<\/strong>, making this one of the most important events of the season so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top-tier teams such as Team Vitality<\/strong>, Natus Vincere<\/strong>, Team Spirit<\/strong>, MOUZ<\/strong>, and FURIA <\/strong>return to action after missing PGL Bucharest 2026<\/a><\/strong>. The big question once again is: can anyone stop Vitality, <\/strong>or will they claim yet another trophy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we break down the format, schedule, teams, and our picks for favorites and underdogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IEM Rio 2026 Teams, Favorites & Underdogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

IEM RIO 2026 Participating Teams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Vitality<\/td>Natus Vincere<\/td><\/tr>
FURIA<\/td>Falcons<\/td><\/tr>
Aurora<\/td>MOUZ<\/td><\/tr>
Spirit<\/td>G2<\/td><\/tr>
Legacy<\/td>3DMAX<\/td><\/tr>
B8<\/td>Liquid<\/td><\/tr>
Passion UA<\/td>RED Canids<\/td><\/tr>
Gentle Mates <\/td>HOTU<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
IEM Rio 2026 Teams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

IEM Rio 2026 Main Favorites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
CS2 Team Vitality <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unsurprisingly, Team Vitality <\/strong>enters the tournament as the clear favorite. They\u2019ve already secured three titles this year<\/strong> and remain dominant, currently riding a 16-match win streak<\/strong> and a 19-map win streak<\/strong>. At this point, they are widely considered the best team in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joining them among the contenders:<\/p>\n\n\n\n