IEM Cologne Major drops BO1 in the third stage
Organizer ESL has changed the format of IEM Cologne Major. In the third stage of the tournament, only BO3 series will now be played; the BO1 format has been completely removed. In the first two stages, BO1 will, judging by the announcement, remain.
To fit in the additional matches, the third stage has been extended by one day: it will run from June 11 to 15, and more tickets will go on sale.
The Counter-Strike community has long criticized the Major for BO1, while top tournaments have almost completely switched to BO3. The reform continues the course set by the introduction of a BO5 final at StarLadder Budapest Major.
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