Counter-Strike 2's glamorous IEM Cologne 2 event will not feature best-of-one matches, but organizer ESL today revealed a strategy that focuses more on best-of-three.

Best-of-ones have long been among the least favorite tournament formats for many CS2 fans and even professional players like Adam Friberg, who very openly expressed his distaste for the shortcomings of the game almost a decade ago. Despite protests, BO1s have remained in the scene; until the recent Esports World Cup served as a tipping point.

The EWC featured a "Resurrection Stage" where BO1s were hosted. This part of the event featured teams that had been effectively eliminated from the global tournament and was designed to give one of them a final chance. While the idea of giving such teams a final chance seemed innovative, it cut a key component of CS2: adaptation.

Series played over three or even five maps allow teams to adapt and outperform their opponents over time, while BO1s can favor cheap strategies. The main reason BO1s are often preferred is because they save time and money. Switching to BO3s for ESL may mean running a longer tournament, which would again drive up the costs.