← all updates

2026-05-21

8 changes

Cologne 2026 Major Hub Opens, and Souvenir Skins Join Trade-Up Contracts

The IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub launches with tournament items and the Pick'Em Challenge, alongside an upgradable Viewer Pass Coin. Souvenir-quality items can now be used in Trade Up Contracts, though their souvenir attributes are stripped and the result is a normal-quality item one tier higher. The update also fixes incorrect scoreboard timelines in overtime and missing pickup hint text on weapons, and increases spectator in-eye flash intensity.

misc

  • reworkThe IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub is now available. Visit the hub to purchase tournament items, play the Pick'Em Challenge and more.
  • reworkPurchase a Cologne 2026 Viewer Pass to receive an upgradable Cologne 2026 Coin. With an active pass, you can upgrade your coin and earn rewards by playing the Pick'Em Challenge. Additionally, you will show up on the Active Pass Leaderboard where you can compare your Pick'Em Challenge performance to your friends.
  • fixFixed a case where tire fire particles were flickering in the advanced video preview.
  • reworkAdjusted finger animation on Bayonet model.

ui

  • fixFixed a case of incorrect scoreboard timeline presentation in overtime.
  • fixFixed weapon entities disallowing pickup from showing pick up weapon hint text.
  • reworkIncreased spectator in-eye flash amount.

content

  • reworkSouvenir quality items can now be selected in Trade Up Contract alongside normal quality items. All Souvenir attributes will be removed from any souvenir items selected, and the result of a Trade Up Contract will be a single normal item of a quality one higher, from a collection of all of the items selected for exchange.
Valve's original notes
[p]\[ MAJOR ][/p][list][*][p]The IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub is now available. Visit the hub to purchase tournament items, play the Pick'Em Challenge and more.[/p][/*][*][p]Purchase a Cologne 2026 Viewer Pass to receive an upgradable Cologne 2026 Coin. With an active pass, you can upgrade your coin and earn rewards by playing the Pick'Em Challenge. Additionally, you will show up on the Active Pass Leaderboard where you can compare your Pick'Em Challenge performance to your friends.[/p][/*][/list][p]\[ UI ][/p][list][*][p]Fixed a case of incorrect scoreboard timeline presentation in overtime.[/p][/*][*][p]Fixed weapon entities disallowing pickup from showing pick up weapon hint text.[/p][/*][*][p]Increased spectator in-eye flash amount.[/p][/*][/list][p]\[ MISC ][/p][list][*][p]Souvenir quality items can now be selected in Trade Up Contract alongside normal quality items. All Souvenir attributes will be removed from any souvenir items selected, and the result of a Trade Up Contract will be a single normal item of a quality one higher, from a collection of all of the items selected for exchange.[/p][/*][*][p]Fixed a case where tire fire particles were flickering in the advanced video preview.[/p][/*][*][p]Adjusted finger animation on Bayonet model.[/p][/*][/list]

Published by Valve on Steam.