StarLadder Budapest Major 2025: All You Need to Know

While the Austin Major concluded a mere 5 months ago, it can feel like a lifetime ago for CS fans. Thankfully, the second and final Major of the year, StarLadder Budapest, is here to sate us. With a $1.25 million USD cash pool up for grabs, 32 teams will assemble to clash and a chance at the most prestigious achievement in Counter-Strike – winning a Major. Buckle your seatbelt ladies and gents, the end of November brings good tidings.

The Final Major of 2025: StarLadder Budapest

Set to run from November 24th to December 14th, StarLadder Budapest will mark the second ever Counter-Strike major hosted by the TO (tournament organizer) StarLadder, and their first in CS2. Longtime fans might remember their previous Major in Berlin back in 2019, where Astralis famously lifted the trophy for the four-peat. It was also the final major in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive before long hiatus until 2021 Stockholm.

At the last major, fans were treated to the crowning moment for Vitality, a team that dominated the early portions of 2025 and posted a legendary win streak during their impressive, albeit short, rule over the scene.

With the current state of Counter-Strike and no clear favorite in sight, the stage for Budapest is set for incredible storylines and one final winner to cap out the season.

Format and Schedule

As in previous iterations, the StarLadder Budapest Major will feature 4 distinct stages spread across 2 locations. Stages 1 to 3 will feature the popular Swiss System while the Playoffs will be played in a single-elimination bracket.

Stage 1

• Date: November 24th – 27th
• No. of Teams: 16
• Swiss Stage Format
• Elimination and Advancement matches will be Bo3 (Best-of-Three). All other matches will be Bo1 (Best-of-One).
• Top 8 teams advance to Stage 2.
• Bottom 8 teams are eliminated from the Major.

Stage 2

• Date: November 29th – December 2nd
• No. of Teams: 16
• Swiss Stage Format
• Elimination and Advancement matches will be Bo3 (Best-of-Three). All other matches will be Bo1 (Best-of-One).
• Top 8 teams advance to Stage 3.
• Bottom 8 teams are eliminated from the Major.

Stage 3

• Date: December 4th – 7th
• No. of Teams: 16
• Swiss Stage Format
• Elimination and Advancement matches will be Bo3 (Best-of-Three). All other matches will be Bo1 (Best-of-One).
• Top 8 teams advance to Playoffs.
• Bottom 8 teams are eliminated from the Major.

Playoffs

• Date: December 11th – 14th
• No. of Teams: 8
• Single-Elimination Bracket
• Grand Finals is Bo5 format (Best-of-Five).
• All other matches are Bo3.

Teams

The StarLadder Budapest Major will play host to the biggest and most decorated names in Counter-Strike 2 history. However, not every team will start on equal terms. Depending on their performance throughout the year, they’ll be afforded the advantage of coming in later in the tournament and therefore, play out fewer games. Let’s take a look at the teams qualified each stage:

Stage 1

• VRS Americas
  • Legacy
  • Imperial Esports
  • Fluxo
  • M80
  • Red Canids
  • NRG
• VRS Europe
  • FaZe Clan
  • B8
  • GamerLegion
  • Fnatic
  • PARIVISION
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas
• VRS Asia
  • FlyQuest
  • Lynn Vision Gaming
  • The Huns Esports
  • Rare Atom

Stage 2

• VRS Americas
  • MIBR
  • Passion UA
• VRS Europe
  • Aurora Gaming
  • Natus Vincere
  • Team Liquid
  • 3DMAX
  • Astralis
• VRS Asia
  • TYLOO

Stage 3

• VRS Americas
  • FURIA
  • paiN Gaming
• VRS Europe
  • Team Vitality
  • Team Falcons
  • MOUZ
  • Team Spirit
  • G2 Esports
• VRS Asia
  • The MongolZ

Stage 1 Opening Matchups

With weeks to go still for the beginning of StarLadder Budapest, the opening matchups for Stage 1 have already been revealed.

• Legacy vs FlyQuest
• FaZe Clan vs Lynn Vision Gaming
• B8 vs M80
• GamerLegion vs Fluxo
• Fnatic vs Red Canids
• PARIVISION vs The Huns Esports
• Ninjas in Pyjamas vs NRG
• Imperial Esports vs Rare Atom

A total of 16 matches will be played on November 24th, 8 from Round 1 and 8 from Round 2. So, set your calendars, and make sure not to miss out on these exhilarating Bo1s to kick off the biggest event of the Counter-Strike seasonal calendar.

Where to Purchase Tickets for StarLadder Budapest?

As of writing, tickets remain purchasable for the Major, including Stage 1. Check out the details below and perhaps, snag a couple for you and your friends.

• Stage 1-3 tickets can be found here for as low as €10.
• Playoffs tickets at the MVM Dome are available here for as low as €77.

Where to Watch StarLadder Budapest?

The entire tournament will be livestreamed from Budapest to Twitch, YouTube, and Kick. Follow the action on the Strafe Esports tournament page as the tournament unfolds.

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 Featured Image Credit: StarLadder

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