ESL reshuffles club rewards ahead of the 2026 season
ESL Counter-Strike has confirmed a major adjustment to the Club Reward structure for IEM China, pushing the event’s total winnings up to $1.25 million. The move comes as part of ESL’s preparation for the 2026 Counter-Strike season and ensures its annual club payment commitments remain on track.
In preparation of 2026, we are making an adjustment to the Club Reward available at #IEM China
Check out all the details in our blog post below 👇 pic.twitter.com/q0SyzZrU4l
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) December 30, 2025
Across its seven yearly events, ESL has committed $3.8 million in Club Rewards. For 2026, that balance required a reshuffle following changes to another flagship tournament on the calendar.
Why IEM Cologne’s Major status changed everything
The adjustment is directly tied to IEM Cologne being designated a Major in 2026. With Major events, all prize money and distribution are determined by Valve, leaving no room for ESL’s usual Club Reward payments.
IEM Cologne 2026 will feature a $1.25 million prize pool, but without an associated Club Reward. As a result, the $250,000 previously earmarked for Cologne’s Club Reward has been reallocated to IEM China, which will close out ESL’s 2026 season.
Bigger rewards for teams heading to China
That reallocation significantly boosts IEM China’s financial stakes. The event’s total winnings rise from $1,000,000 to $1,250,000, while the Club Reward component jumps from $700,000 to $950,000.
The updated breakdown sees top-performing teams earning substantial combined payouts through prize money and club bonuses.
First place will receive $125,000 in prize money alongside a $235,000 Club Reward. Second place earns $50,000 plus $160,000, followed by $30,000 and $130,000 for third, and $20,000 with $100,000 for fourth. Teams finishing fifth to sixth will take home $12,500 in prize money and $75,000 in Club Rewards, while seventh to eighth receive $7,000 and $47,500. Ninth to twelfth place teams collect $5,000 plus $20,000, with thirteenth to sixteenth receiving $4,000 in prize money only.
IEM China continues its return to the region
IEM China 2026 will run from November 2 to 8 and feature 16 of the world’s best CS2 teams. It marks ESL’s third consecutive year hosting a major event in China since returning with IEM Chengdu in 2024 and repeating the tournament in 2025.
While the specific city and venue for 2026 have yet to be announced, ESL has signalled strong confidence in the region’s growing esports scene. With a prize pool now matching the year’s Major events, IEM China is shaping up to be one of the most important stops on the 2026 Counter-Strike calendar.