Falcons meets NAVI as IEM Beijing groups and opening matches are confirmed
Falcons meets NAVI as IEM Beijing groups and opening matches are confirmed
ESL has revealed the groups and opening fixtures for IEM Beijing 2026, with NAVI facing Falcons and FURIA Esports meeting FaZe in the first round.
The 16-team tournament takes place in China’s capital from November 2–8.
Group A: NAVI– Falcons headlines the draw
NAVI’s opening encounter against Falcons repeats their meeting at ESL Pro League Season 24. The group also features newly crowned Thunderpick World Championship winners FURIA Esports , who begin against FaZe.
The opening fixtures are:
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NAVI vs Falcons
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FURIA Esports vs FaZe
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HEROIC vs B8
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Legacy vs The MongolZ
Group B: G2 faces PARIVISION
G2 and PARIVISION meet in the second group, while Thunderpick runners-up BetBoom begin against 9z. aurora faces Liquid, and Chinese representative TyLoo opens against Mouz .
The opening fixtures are:
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G2 vs PARIVISION
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BetBoom vs 9z
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Liquid vs aurora
Group winners advance directly to the semifinals
Both eight-team groups use double elimination. Three teams advance from each group: the winner receives a semifinal berth, while the second- and third-placed teams enter the quarterfinals.
That structure gives teams an additional incentive to win their group beyond simply securing playoff qualification.
