Your guide to the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
It’s that time of the year again…when the Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) esports community is treated to a crowning event. For 2025, that’s the StarLadder Budapest Major, taking place in Hungary, with the best teams competing their hearts out over three weeks of action. Let’s dive in and discuss the crucial details so you don’t miss out!
StarLadder Budapest Major details
From 24 November to 14 December, the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 will take place in Hungary. Teams are competing for their share of the massive $1,250,000 prize pool. At the current Dollar to Rand exchange rate, that’s roughly R21.5 million.
The venue for the first three stages of competition is MTK Sportpark, while the Playoffs Stage will take place at the MVM Dome. All stages of the StarLadder Budapest Major take place on LAN, in front of a crowd.
The first three stages of competition all follow a 16 Team Swiss System format, where elimination and advancement matches are BO3, and all other matches are BO1. The top eight teams from each stage advance to the next stage.
Check out the complete list of teams and which Stage of the Major they will start their journey in below. Invites were based on the VRS as of 6 October 2025
| Stage | Teams |
| Stage 3 | Vitality, Spirit, Falcons, MOUZ, G2, FURIA, paiN, The MongolZ |
| Stage 2 | Aurora, Natus Vincere, Astralis, 3DMAX, Liquid, MIBR, Passion UA, TYLOO |
| Stage 1 | FaZe, GamerLegion, Ninjas in Pyjamas, B8, PARIVISION, fnatic, Legacy, Imperial, NRG, M80, Fluxo, RED Canids, Lynn Vision, The Huns, FlyQuest, Rare Atom |
The final eight teams will compete in a single-elimination bracket during the Playoffs Stage, which runs from 11 to 14 December 2025, featuring a single-elimination bracket where all matches are BO3, except for the Grand Final, which is a BO5 slugfest for the first time in Major Championship history.
CS2 esports fans watch all the action via the official YouTube, Twitch, or Kick channels. Stay tuned at Esports Central, as we’ll be sure to bring you the results when the tournament finishes up, as well as important news during the crowning event.
Header image via StarLadder.
