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North America’s Premier CS2 Tournament Finds a New Home

ESL has officially announced that next year’s Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) event in North America will move from Dallas to Atlanta. Scheduled for May 11 to 17, 2026, the event will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center as part of the DreamHack Atlanta festival.

The announcement was made via ESL’s social media channels, confirming that #IEMAtlanta2026 will replace the usual Dallas stop in the Counter-Strike circuit. Ticket sales are already live, with a limited flash sale offering early buyers the lowest prices.

Why the Move from Dallas to Atlanta?

The decision to relocate follows the ongoing renovation of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, which is expected to be completed in 2029. The venue had hosted several successful IEM Dallas editions, but with construction underway, ESL needed a new North American home for 2026.

Atlanta was a natural choice. The city recently hosted DreamHack Knockout 2025, where M80 earned their spot in the ESL Pro League, proving its ability to attract passionate fans and deliver top-tier esports experiences.

A Return to a Legendary CS City

Atlanta isn’t new to the Counter-Strike scene. The city famously hosted multiple ELEAGUE events, including the 2017 Major, where Astralis claimed the first of their four Major titles. With that history, it’s fitting that the city will once again take centre stage for one of CS2’s biggest annual events.

This time, the action will unfold as part of DreamHack Atlanta, blending Counter-Strike with a weekend packed full of gaming culture, cosplay, and other esports showcases, including a Call of Duty Major running alongside IEM.

$1,000,000 on the Line

IEM Atlanta 2026 will feature a $1 million prize pool, following ESL’s familiar structure of two 8-team groups feeding into a 6-team playoff bracket. Eleven of the participating teams will receive direct invitations based on the global Valve Regional Standings (VRS) as of February 2, while the remaining five slots will go to teams from North America, South America, and open qualifiers.

Although the full team list has not yet been revealed, fans can expect to see some of the biggest names in Counter-Strike 2 competing for both prestige and a major share of the prize.

A Busy Year for ESL and IEM

IEM Atlanta is just one of several major Counter-Strike 2 events planned for 2026. ESL will also host tournaments in Krakow, Brazil, and China, alongside flagship competitions such as the Cologne Major and the Esports World Cup.

With so many international events on the calendar, IEM Atlanta will stand as the main North American battleground of the year, keeping the region firmly in the global Counter-Strike spotlight.

What to Expect Next

More details about the team invites, schedule, and broadcast talent will be shared closer to the event. For now, ESL is encouraging fans to secure their tickets early through DreamHack’s website and prepare for what promises to be one of 2026’s biggest esports weekends.