Ukrainian Counter-Strike 2 team B8 has qualified for IEM Beijing 2026 after successfully navigating the European Closed Qualifier. Cybersport In reports, citing HLTV, that B8 secured one of the final two places at the tournament alongside HEROIC after defeating Nuclear TigeRES in the upper bracket final.
B8 delivered a convincing run through the qualifier, dropping only one map across four matches. The Ukrainian team started its campaign with victories over MOUZ and BetBoom before overcoming HEROIC to reach the upper bracket final. B8 entered the decisive match against Nuclear TigeRES after three consecutive victories.
The Ukrainian side secured its ticket to Beijing with a 2-0 victory over Nuclear TigeRES. B8 took Mirage 13-8 before closing the series on Dust2 with a 13-10 win. B8 defeated Nuclear TigeRES 2-0 to qualify for IEM Beijing 2026.
The result means B8 will join some of the biggest names in Counter-Strike at the Chinese tournament. The confirmed field includes Spirit, Vitality, MOUZ, FURIA, G2, NAVI, Falcons, The MongolZ, Aurora and several other prominent teams. NAVI will also compete at IEM Beijing 2026.
HEROIC claimed the other remaining qualification spot. After losing to B8 in the upper bracket, the team fought through the lower bracket and defeated BetBoom in the deciding series. HEROIC and B8 became the final two teams to qualify for IEM Beijing.
IEM Beijing 2026 will take place in the Chinese capital from November 2 to 8. Sixteen teams will compete at the event, with a total prize pool of $1.25 million. The tournament will feature a group stage followed by playoffs.
For B8, qualification adds another major international tournament to the organization’s 2026 schedule and gives the Ukrainian roster an opportunity to compete against several of the world’s highest-ranked teams. B8 continues to strengthen its position on the international Counter-Strike 2 scene.
