Organizer
Tournament edition
ESL One Cologne 2016
The tenth Counter-Strike Major brought 16 teams to ESL One Cologne from July 5 to 10, 2016. SK Gaming defeated Team Liquid in the final at LANXESS Arena.
E
Share this page
Updated October 23, 2026Competition snapshot
CategoryPartnerCommercial note
Category
Organizer
Partner
ESL FACEIT GroupCommercial note
Tournament organizer under the ESL name · Recorded in the 2016 edition.[2]
Category
Sponsor
Partner
ASUSCommercial note
Liquipedia-listed sponsor · Recorded in the 2016 edition.[1]
Category
Sponsor
Partner
IntelCommercial note
Liquipedia-listed sponsor · Recorded in the 2016 edition.[1]
Category
Sponsor
Partner
Logitech GCommercial note
Liquipedia-listed sponsor · Recorded in the 2016 edition.[1]
Category
Sponsor
Partner
paysafecardCommercial note
Liquipedia-listed sponsor · Recorded in the 2016 edition.[1]
Category
Sponsor
Partner
HyperXCommercial note
Liquipedia-listed sponsor · Recorded in the 2016 edition.[1]
Category
Sponsor
Partner
NEEDforSEATCommercial note
Liquipedia-listed sponsor · Recorded in the 2016 edition.[1]
PTG Database Analysis
ESL One Cologne 2016 ran July 5–10, with 16 teams competing for USD 1 million. Group play began at ESL’s Cologne studios before the final stage moved to LANXESS Arena from July 8 to 10. SK Gaming defeated Team Liquid in the final. ESL and Liquipedia describe the event as a Valve Major; the publisher confirms SK received USD 500,000 from the prize pool.[1][2][4][5]
The event used four GSL groups, with best-of-one opening, winners’ and elimination matches, best-of-three deciders, and a best-of-three single-elimination playoff. Liquipedia lists six event sponsors in addition to LANXESS Arena, which also served as the venue; Valve’s support is classified separately as publisher backing.[1][2][3]
References5
- [1]ESL One: Cologne 2016 — Liquipedia Counter-Strike Wiki
- [2]ESL One Cologne 2016 is now officially a Valve Major! — ESL
- [3]The ESL One Cologne 2016 survival guide — ESL
- [4]ESL One Cologne 2016 overview — HLTV.org
- [5]Counter-Strike: Global Offensive » Cologne 2016 – Champions — Counter-Strike
Commercial opportunities
Event sponsors
Liquipedia lists ASUS, Intel, Logitech G, paysafecard, HyperX, NEEDforSEAT and LANXESS Arena among event sponsors. LANXESS Arena is recorded separately as the host venue.[1]
Publisher support
Valve supported the event as a Counter-Strike Major publisher.[2][5]
Work with Press The Game
Bring an opportunity to the table
Looking for media reach, industry insight or the right esports partner? Bring us your brief—we’ll help move it forward.
