Valve launches CS2 Cologne 2026 hub

Valve launched the IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub in Counter-Strike 2 on May 22, opening the game’s in-client storefront for tournament items, Pick’Em predictions and a new Cologne 2026 Viewer Pass. Valve said in its Steam announcement that players can buy team and player autograph items, receive an upgradable Cologne 2026 coin through the pass, and use a new Souvenir-O-Matic system tied to completed matches. (steamcommunity.com) The update also replaces the long-running capsule model for Major stickers with a direct-purchase shop. Valve said sticker prices in that shop are set by demand. ### What exactly changed in the Major Hub? The May 22 update made the IEM Cologne 2026 Major Hub available inside CS2, according to Valve’s Steam post and patch coverage from Hotspawn and Sportskeeda. The hub lets players purchase tournament items, enter the Pick’Em Challenge and buy the Cologne 2026 Viewer Pass. The Viewer Pass includes what Valve called an upgradable Cologne 2026 challenge coin. Valve said players who activate the pass can upgrade that coin from Bronze to Silver, Gold or Diamond through Pick’Em results, and each upgrade grants 300 tokens that can be redeemed for stickers or souvenirs. (steamcommunity.com) Sportskeeda reported the pass is priced at $10, or the local equivalent, in the in-game store. ### Why are sticker capsules gone this time? Valve said in its FAQ that past Majors sold team and player autograph stickers in capsules, but the company had heard feedback that some players would rather buy stickers directly. (steamcommunity.com) Valve also said some players in certain regions cannot purchase sticker capsules, and that the new system is an attempt to let more players participate. The new Major Shop lets players buy tokens and redeem them for specific stickers instead of opening capsules at random. Valve said that means a player can directly choose a particular team logo or player autograph and select the version they want, rather than relying on chance. (steamcommunity.com) ### How does the new pricing system work? Valve said sticker prices now change according to “relative demand.” In practice, that means heavily purchased stickers rise in token cost while less-purchased items become cheaper. Sportskeeda described the same system as a demand-based price model for different sticker variants, including holographic and foil versions. (steamcommunity.com) Valve also added a refund rule to limit abrupt price swings for recent buyers. The company said that if a sticker’s price falls by more than 25 tokens within 24 hours of purchase, the buyer receives a token refund equal to the difference. (steamcommunity.com) ### What is Souvenir-O-Matic? Valve said Souvenir-O-Matic allows players to craft their own souvenir item from an existing weapon in their inventory. The system lets a player choose a completed match and one player, then converts the selected weapon into Souvenir quality with gold team, autograph and map stickers applied, according to the Steam announcement. (steamcommunity.com) Sportskeeda said the feature sits alongside the shop overhaul and Viewer Pass as one of the main parts of the Cologne hub rollout. Hotspawn separately described the broader souvenir changes as a significant break from prior Major item systems. (steamcommunity.com) ### Who gets paid from these sales? Valve said 50% of tournament item sales will again be shared with the tournament organizer, teams and players. The company said royalty rates for token sales will depend on teams’ Valve Regional Standings seeding until the end of the Major, and after the event will depend on final tournament placement. (steamcommunity.com) The Cologne 2026 Major Hub is now live in Counter-Strike 2, and Valve said players can access the Major Shop, Pick’Em Challenge and souvenir tools through the game client as the event approaches. (steamcommunity.com) (sportskeeda.com)