Esports match organiser ESL has introduced that it’ll regulate its Membership Rewards quantity for 2026’s Intel Excessive Masters (IEM) China.
The $250,000 (~£186,000) Membership Reward that was initially allotted to IEM Main Cologne will as a substitute be moved to China, growing the Counter-Strike 2 occasion’s Membership Reward to $950,000 (~£708,000).
In a weblog put up on-line, ESL defined that the reasoning was as a result of IEM Cologne is designated as a Main within the 2026 season. As such, complete winnings for such occasions are decided by the sport’s developer, Valve.
The 2026 IEM Cologne Main options $1.25m (~£929,000) in prize pool funds, however doesn’t characteristic Membership Rewards for taking part groups. In consequence, IEM China’s prize pool has elevated from the earlier $1m (~£743,000).
Following this, the prize distribution has been altered accordingly. The successful crew will earn $125,000 (~£92,900) in prize cash alongside $235,000 (~£175,000) in Membership Rewards, runner-up will earn $50,000 (~£37,150) in winnings and $160,000 (~£118,900) in Membership Rewards, and the crew positioned third will earn $30,000 (~£22,300) and $130,000 (~£96,590) in Membership Rewards.
In complete, ESL remains to be providing $3.8m (~£2.8m) in Membership Rewards for organisations attending the seven annual sanctioned occasions within the 2026 season.
IEM China 2026
IEM China will happen as an offline occasion close to the top of the aggressive season, scheduled for November 2nd to eighth, 2026.
The competitors will see 13 invited groups from the Valve Regional Standings as of August 2026: together with one from North America, one from South America, one from Asia, and 10 from the World standings. Moreover, two groups will advance from the World Qualifier, and the ultimate spot will likely be crammed by the successful crew from the Asian Qualifier.
IEM China will likely be divided into two phases. The match will kick off with a Group Stage that includes two GSL teams of eight groups competing in separate double elimination codecs. One of the best groups will advance to the single-elimination bracket Playoffs, concluding with a best-of-five Grand Remaining.
