IEM Krakow 2026 Group Stage: Map Pick Rates and Team Balance

The group stage at IEM Krakow 2026 featured a very balanced map pool, with no clear underdogs, but with clear trends in both pick rate and team strength. Teams tended to favor maps, while team balance played a significant role in match outcomes.

Most popular cards and preferences

Dust II was the most played map in the group stage with 17 matches, demonstrating that it remains a popular choice for many teams. Mirage and Inferno followed closely behind with nine matches each, confirming their long-term popularity. On the other hand, Anubis was played only four times, making it the least played map despite its availability in the pool.

Balance of sides CT and T

On most maps, the CT side had a clear advantage. Mirage stood out the most with a 66% CT win rate, making it the most favorable map for defenders. Ancient also favored the CT side with 61%. Nuke and Anubis were more balanced, both with 56% CT and 44% T wins, while Dust II was closest to parity with 52% CT and 48% T wins, highlighting its fair distribution.

Key findings

Overall, the IEM Krakow group stage confirmed that CT-focused maps still dominate the meta. However, maps like Dust II and Inferno allowed T-sides to remain competitive, rewarding structured execution and mid-round decision-making. Teams that adapted their sides well gained a clear advantage in the groups.