The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is finally here, Counter-Strike 2’s fourth-ever Major and the 23rd Valve-sponsored Major in franchise history. As the first full year of the VRS Open Circuit wraps up, Budapest gathers 32 of the world’s best teams to fight for a $1,250,000 prize pool and the ultimate title: Counter-Strike 2 Major Champions.
This event also marks the long-awaited return of StarLadder, hosting their first Major since Berlin 2019. Below is your full guide to the Budapest Major venues, schedule, format, teams, prize distribution, and where to watch.
StarLadder Budapest Major 2025: Venues & Key Dates
The tournament takes place across two major venues in Budapest over three full weeks.
MTK Sportpark – Stages 1, 2 & 3
Location: Kerepesi út 17, 1087 Budapest, Hungary
Dates:
- Stage 1: Nov. 24–27, 2025
- Stage 2: Nov. 29–Dec. 2, 2025
- Stage 3: Dec. 4–7, 2025
Notes: All Swiss stages will be played in front of a live audience.
MVM Dome – Playoffs
Location: Üllői út 133-135, 1091 Budapest, Hungary
Dates: Dec. 11–14, 2025
Notes: A 20,000-seat arena, with StarLadder bringing back a 360-degree stage similar to Berlin 2019.
Tournament Timeline
- Stage 1: Nov. 24–27
- Stage 2: Nov. 29–Dec. 2
- Stage 3: Dec. 4–7
- Break: Dec. 8–10
- Playoffs: Dec. 11–14
In total, the Budapest Major spans 21 days of nonstop CS2 action.
Budapest Major 2025 – Stage 1 Schedule & Results
32 teams enter the event across three Swiss stages, with 16 teams beginning in Stage 1. Eight will advance to Stage 2.
Stage 1 – Monday, Nov. 24 (Swiss Round 1)
- B8 11–13 M80
- Imperial 13–11 Rare Atom
- Legacy 10–13 FlyQuest
- PARIVISION 13–8 The Huns
- NiP 7–13 NRG
- GamerLegion 10–13 Fluxo
- fnatic 16–14 RED Canids
- FaZe 13–5 Lynn Vision
Stage 1 – Monday, Nov. 24 (Swiss Round 2)
- Legacy 13–6 Rare Atom
- Imperial 13–6 FlyQuest
- PARIVISION 9–13 M80
- B8 13–11 The Huns
- fnatic 9–13 Fluxo
- GamerLegion 6–13 RED Canids
- FaZe 13–10 NRG
- NiP 13–2 Lynn Vision
Stage 1 – Tuesday, Nov. 25
Bo1 Matches
- Legacy vs RED Canids – 3pm CET
- B8 vs PARIVISION – 3pm CET
- FaZe vs NiP – 4pm CET
- fnatic vs Imperial – 4pm CET
Bo3 Matches
- FlyQuest vs Fluxo – 5pm CET
- GamerLegion vs Rare Atom – 5pm CET
- M80 vs NRG – 7:30pm CET
- The Huns vs Lynn Vision – 7:30pm CET
This schedule will be updated as the Major progresses.
StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Format Explained
The Budapest Major is the first Major to feature full VRS invitations, replacing the old regional qualifier system after Austin 2025.
Format Overview
- Three Swiss Stages
- 16 teams per stage
- 8 teams advance from each stage
- Mix of Bo1 and Bo3 matches
- Buchholz seeding system remains
Stage Breakdown
Stage 1 Teams (16):
FaZe, Legacy, GamerLegion, B8, Lynn Vision, M80, fnatic, NiP, FlyQuest, PARIVISION, NRG, Fluxo, Imperial, Rare Atom, RED Canids, The Huns
Stage 2 Teams:
FURIA, Falcons, Vitality, MOUZ, The MongolZ, Spirit, G2, paiN
Stage 3 Teams:
Aurora, NaVi, Astralis, 3DMAX, Liquid, Passion UA, TYLOO, MIBR
The winners of Stage 3 advance to the single-elimination playoffs in the MVM Dome.
Best-of-Five Grand Finals
Budapest is the first CS2 Major with a Bo5 grand final, a community-requested upgrade for years.
StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Prize Pool
Total prize pool: $1,250,000
| Placement | Prize |
|---|---|
| Champion | $500,000 |
| Runners-Up | $170,000 |
| 3rd–4th | $80,000 |
| 5th–8th | $45,000 |
| 9th–11th | $20,000 |
| 12th–14th | $20,000 |
| 15th–16th | $20,000 |
| 17th–24th | $10,000 |
| 25th–32nd | – |
Where to Watch the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
You can catch every match live on StarLadder’s official channels:
For more CS2 updates, Major coverage, and esports insights, stay tuned to Gamelevate.
