Most esports careers have the shelf life of a carton of milk. Finn “karrigan” Andersen’s has aged more like a fine Bordeaux. The Danish in-game leader has earned a distinction no other player in competitive Counter-Strike can claim: he has attended every single edition of IEM Cologne, a run stretching back years through multiple iterations of the game itself.

At 36 years old, karrigan is the eldest competitor at this year’s IEM Cologne Major 2026, with a full 20-year age gap separating him from the tournament’s youngest player. In a scene where retirement often comes before 30, that number alone tells a story.

Two decades of fragging and leading

karrigan’s competitive career dates back to 2006, when he started grinding in Counter-Strike 1.6. The man has been competing in some form of Counter-Strike for roughly two decades, transitioning through CS 1.6, CS:GO, and now CS2.

His attendance at IEM Cologne Major 2026 brings his Major appearances to 22, tying him with Vitality’s apEX for the most among any participant. karrigan is the only one who can say he’s been at every Cologne event on the calendar.

karrigan’s total career earnings sit north of $2.1 million, a figure accumulated over nearly two decades of competition. His first Major championship came at PGL Major Antwerp 2022, a win that also contributed to securing the Intel Grand Slam with FaZe Clan. karrigan was already 32 at the time of that first Major win.

New team, same mission

In April 2026, he transferred from FaZe Clan to Team Falcons, a move precipitated by FaZe Clan failing to qualify for the Major for the first time. Team Falcons’ roster features NiKo, m0NESY, and TeSeS, with legendary Danish coach zonic running the tactical side. karrigan reuniting with NiKo is particularly notable given their successful partnership during the FaZe era that produced that 2022 Major victory.

karrigan is an in-game leader, the player responsible for calling strategies and making real-time decisions during matches. It’s a position that rewards game knowledge and communication over raw mechanical skill, which partly explains his longevity.

What this means for the esports landscape

The IEM Cologne has transformed into a cornerstone event since the CS:GO era, now officially classified as a Major in 2026. karrigan’s presence at every Cologne event serves as a thread of continuity in a scene that churns through talent relentlessly.

Adding a veteran IGL with 22 Major appearances to a roster that already includes mechanically gifted players like NiKo and m0NESY creates an interesting dynamic. karrigan has historically elevated the teams around him through structure and preparation rather than individual highlight plays.