The IEM Cologne 2026 Major has overhauled how Major Stickers work in CS2, with Valve’s latest updates completely changing how players can get their hands on them. Instead of the classic suite of Sticker Capsules, CS2 now has a brand new Major Hub within the game, allowing players to directly purchase the exact sticker they want. The system uses dynamic pricing, adjusting the token cost for each sticker based on demand. Here’s everything you need to know about the IEM Cologne 2026 Major Shop, and all the stickers available to buy today.
IEM Cologne 2026 Major Shop explained
The new Major Shop lets fans directly purchase the stickers they want using a token system. Tokens follow a roughly $1 = 100 tokens conversion rate, and have to be purchased before you can buy any stickers. Each sticker has a dynamic price based on market demand.
To purchase a sticker, follow these steps:
- Head to the Major Shop in game
- Click on the team you want
- Check the dynamic pricing for the sticker you wish to purchase
- Purchase the required amount of tokens
- Purchase the sticker using the tokens
Fan of donk? You can now directly get a Gold donk sticker without having to unlock a full Legends Sticker Capsule and hoping for the right sticker like in previous Majors.
How does the Dynamic Token pricing work?
That donk sticker, however, may still cost a significant amount, thanks to the dynamic pricing system. First piloted with the Genesis and Dead Hand terminals, the system sets the price of each sticker based on its rarity and the number of units purchased by players worldwide. This means the game’s superstars: Danil “donk” Kryshkovets, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, Nikola “NiKo” Kovač, will command much higher prices compared to regional stars or support players.
If you follow the Tier 2 scene, this means you can likely pick up your favorite prospects’ stickers quite affordably. Meanwhile, fans of the world’s best will need to save up.
Why Valve is moving away from Capsules and Cases
The new Major Shop is part of a broader shift in Counter-Strike’s revenue model, moving away from the classic lootbox system toward direct purchases. Previously, Valve received a small fixed amount per container opening ($1 for Sticker Capsules, $2.50 for Case Keys), even if the capsule contained a Gold Sticker worth hundreds of dollars on the secondary market.
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The new system gives Valve 100% of the revenue from every sticker sale. Beyond the financials, the move also reduces Valve’s exposure to loot box regulation, a space that has seen increasing scrutiny from legislators, including a recent back-and-forth with the New York Attorney General.
Every IEM Cologne 2026 Major sticker
Cologne was already one of the most important events on the CS calendar when it last hosted a Major back in 2016. In the IEM era (2021-present), ESL has developed a distinctive visual identity for the event, with stained glass becoming a signature motif across its graphics.
That art style carries through to the IEM Cologne 2026 Major sticker collection: every sticker features a stained-glass background, giving the set a unique look. With Paper, Foil, Holo and Gold variants for both Teams and Players, the collection features a total of 768 stickers.
IEM Cologne 2026 Major – Stage 3 Stickers
IEM Cologne 2026 Major – Stage 2 Stickers
IEM Cologne 2026 Major – Stage 1 Stickers
IEM Cologne 2026 Major – IEM Stickers
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do tokens cost in the Major Shop? Tokens have a fixed exchange rate of $1 for 100 tokens.
Where are the IEM Cologne 2026 Major Sticker Capsules? The updated Major Shop system has replaced Sticker Capsules for the IEM Cologne 2026 Major. Instead of opening capsules, players can directly buy their favorite stickers from the shop.
What if I buy a sticker, and the price drops immediately after? If the price of your purchased sticker drops more than 25 tokens within 24 hours of your purchase, Valve will automatically refund the difference to your token balance.
Do tokens expire? Valve has not announced an expiry date for tokens at this stage. That said, tokens are tied to the Major cycle, so it is advisable to spend them before the event concludes to be safe.
