Counter Strike is one of those video games that have defined multiple generations and gaming eras. Still going strong after more than two decades, it seems it has never been bigger and more impactful. With CS2 as the latest version of the game, the competitive scene and the Esports industry around it are all the better for it. The next big international tournament is almost upon us, which means the hype is once again at its highest. In this guide, we talk about all you should know about the latest StarLadder Major.
The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is scheduled to take place from November 24 to December 14, 2025, in Budapest, Hungary. The first three stages of the tournament will be held at MTK Sportpark, a venue capable of accommodating roughly 2,000 spectators. The playoff stage will be hosted in the MVM Dome, a 20,000 seat arena designed for large scale live events and top tier production. This Major marks StarLadder’s high profile return as an organizer and reaffirms Europe’s central role in the Counter Strike Major circuit. It is bound to be a success as some of the best teams are going to be featured.
Qualification and Participating Teams
For this Major, the qualification process underwent a significant shift. There were 32 teams directly invited via the Valve Regional Standings (VRS), after Valve canceled the fall 2025 Major Qualifiers (MRQs). This meant no separate tournament was held for qualification. Instead, teams earned their places based on long term performance across the season, which proved how important it always is to maintain good form and remain among the best. The final standings were confirmed in early October, after which official invitations were distributed. Teams were assigned to different starting stages depending on their regional ranking positions.
Europe (16 teams)
Stage 3: Team Vitality, Team Spirit, Falcons, MOUZ, G2 EsportsStage 2: Aurora Gaming, Natus Vincere, Astralis, 3DMAX, Team LiquidStage 1: FaZe Clan, GamerLegion, Ninjas in Pyjamas, B8 Esports, PARIVISION, Fnatic
Americas (10 teams)
Stage 3: FURIA Esports, paiN GamingStage 2: MIBR, Passion UAStage 1: Legacy, Imperial, NRG, M80, Fluxo, RED Canids
Asia (6 teams)
Stage 3: The MongolZStage 2: TYLOOStage 1: Lynn Vision, The Huns, FlyQuest, Rare Atom
This distribution ensures balance between regional representation and competitive strength while giving top performing teams a later entry point into the Major. As always, Europe is the most represented region with the same number of teams as the Americas and Asia combined. It is going to be a highly competitive three weeks, so check out how to bet on StarLadder Major if you are a fan who likes to engage in more than just passive viewing of the best going at it.
Tournament Format
The StarLadder Budapest Major features a four stage format that combines Swiss systems with a final single elimination bracket. It is the modern standard, and with a total of 32 professional teams, it needs to be right as well as exciting for the fans. Here is how it works:
- Stage 1 (November 24-27)
Sixteen teams compete in a Swiss system group. Matches that do not determine elimination or advancement are best of one, while all elimination and progression matches are best of three.
- Stage 2 (November 29-December 2)
This is another 16 team Swiss stage that features teams advancing from Stage 1 as well as those invited directly to this round. Seeding from Round 2 onward uses the Buchholz system, which evaluates team performance based on the strength of opponents.
- Stage 3 (December 4-7)
The top 16 teams compete in a final Swiss group under the same rules as the earlier stages. This is where the favorites enter the fray, competing against those qualified from the first two stages. Eight teams qualify for the playoffs.
- Playoffs (December 11-14)
Eight teams compete in a single elimination bracket inside the MVM Dome in front of some 20,000 live audience. Quarterfinals and semifinals are best of three, while the Grand Final is the only best of five of the tournament, a historic first in Counter Strike Major competition.
Prize Pool and Reward System
It is already a well known fact that CS2 tournaments are some of the most lucrative in the entire pro gaming industry. The same goes for the upcoming Budapest event, with the total prize pool for the Major being a cool US$1.25 million. Rewards are distributed based on final placement, with meaningful payouts offered throughout all tiers. Such a payout structure rewards both excellence at the top and consistency across all stages. As many as 24 best ranked teams get some compensation, meaning that only the lowest ranked 8 teams, who fail to pass Stage 1, do not win any prize money, which is fair. Here is how much the teams win:
- 1st place: US$500,000
- 2nd place: US$170,000
- 3rd-4th place: US$80,000
- 5th-8th place: US$45,000
- 9th-11th place: US$20,000
- 12th-16th place: US$20,000
- 17th-24th place: US$10,000
The difference between the 1st and 2nd place is quite significant, which is not always the case in competitive gaming. It gives an additional incentive to the two finalists to get the best of each other, and raises the stakes of the incredible decision to make it a best of five.
Broadcast Talent: Casters and Analysts
A very underrated, yet very important part of each Esports event is the broadcast talent, i.e., the casters and analysts that interact with the fans and tell us what is going on. This time around, StarLadder assembled a robust broadcast team involving experienced hosts, analysts, and casters to cover all stages of the event.
James Banks will serve as arena host during the playoffs, while Freya Spiers and Sam “Tech Girl” Wright lead the analyst desk. The analysis team features Jacob “Pimp” Winneche, Alex “Mauisnake” Ellenberg, Jonatan “Devilwalk” Lundberg, and Teodor “Tedd” Borisov. They provide strategic breakdowns and match insights throughout the event.
The casting lineup includes Mohan “launders” Govindasamy, Conner “Scrawny” Girvan, Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill, Alex “Machine” Richardson, Harry “JustHarry” Russell, Hugo Byron, Jason “moses” O’Toole, and Adam “Dinko” Hawthorne. Their expertise and dynamic commentary will aim to elevate the viewing experience for both casual fans and die hard followers. It is a great team all around that is sure to deliver on all levels.
Tickets and Pricing
Tickets for the event are available for all stages, with pricing adjusted according to venue and day. The first two waves of cheaper tickets are long gone and sold out, with the third wave still available. Stage 1 at MTK Sportpark has a two day bundle for €10 and a four day bundle for €15. For Stage 2 at MTK Sportpark, the two day bundle is €10-€15, depending on the days, and €20 for the four day bundle. When Stage 3 at MTK Sportpark is in question, two day bundles start at €15 for Thursday and Friday and €20 for Saturday and Sunday. If you want all four days, the bundle is €30.
For the final stage, ticket prices go up as the interest is much higher. The playoffs at the incredible MVM Dome start range from €70 to €140 for two day bundles for Thursday and Friday, and jump to €110-€200 for Saturday and Sunday. Four day playoff bundle is between €160 and €310, depending on seating section tier. This structure allows both local fans and international visitors to choose from a wide range of options, from budget friendly early stage access to premium final weekend seats in the arena. Of course, everyone will be able to watch live on Kick, Twitch, and YouTube.
Significance and Impact of the Major
The StarLadder Budapest Major is set to be one of the defining Esports events of 2025, and one of the biggest in Counter Strike 2. With a 20,000 seat arena, an invite only, revitalized qualification system that emphasized and rewarded consistency, and the first ever best of five Major Grand Final, the tournament aims to deliver a landmark experience for players, fans, and the broader esports industry. Simply put, you have to tune in if you are a fan of competitive video games, not just the tactical FPS genre or the CS franchise.
As one of the most popular European capitals, Budapest also stands to benefit significantly from hosting the event. The Major is expected to boost tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors, contributing millions in revenue to the local economy. It is a major tourist city anyway, with this event looking to boost the number of visitors in November and December even further, just before the iconic Advent Holiday season. For Counter Strike fans, the event represents a celebration of the game’s competitive evolution and the ever growing cultural footprint of the Esports phenomenon worldwide.
StarLadder Major Budapest Betting Odds and Favorites
With the tournament only a few days away, certain odds and predictions are already up on the leading sportsbooks' pages that include Esports. If you mean to bet on Starladder Major (CS2), Stake has the latest odds for the first 7 matches. B8 is the favorite to beat M80, but not by a lot, as their respective odds are 1.72 and 2.00. In the second match, though, it is a one sided affair as PARIVISION is the absolute favorite with 1.13 against the Huns Esports, the underdogs in this one with only 5.00.
Legacy starts the tournament with a favorable matchup against FlyQuest, with 1.35 and 2.90 odds, respectively. With the exact same odds of 1.35 and 2.90, FamerLegion is the favorite against Fluxo. It is then onto Ninjas in Pajamas as the favored side with 1.52 odds against NRG Esports with 2.35. NRG is a huge organization, but they are the underdog here. One of the favorites in the tournament, FaZe, should take care of business against Lynn Vision if the odds are to be believed, with 1.32 versus 3.10. Lastly, Fnatic, another big team, leads the odds with 1.35 against RED Canids with 2.90.
CS2 Esports FAQs
1. What makes Counter Strike 2 different from CS: Global Offensive?
CS2 runs on Valve’s Source 2 engine that brings upgraded graphics, responsive smokes, improved sub tick networking, better lighting, updated maps, redesigned UI, and more consistent hit registration. Competitive players generally view it as a more modern and polished evolution of CS: GO.
2. What is the competitive format used in CS2 esports?
Most professional tournaments use a best of three (Bo3) format for playoff matches and best of one (Bo1) for some group stage games. Each match is played in MR12 (12 rounds per half), with the first team to 13 rounds winning.
3. How do CS2’s responsive smoke grenades impact competitive play?
Smokes in CS2 interact with the environment and gunfire. Bullets and explosions carve temporary gaps, and smoke fills the space naturally. This changes strategies on executes, site holds, and retakes, making grenade usage even more skill dependent and crucial in every match.
4. Why is the economy system so important in CS2?
The economy dictates weapon loadouts every round. Managing money, i.e., buying, saving, or forcing, can shift a game’s momentum. Pro teams often plan several rounds to ensure optimal buys during key moments.
5. What are the most popular maps in the CS2 esports scene?
Mirage, Inferno, and Nuke are long standing staples. Newer versions of Dust II, Anubis, and Overpass are also common in tournaments. The map pool changes periodically as Valve updates or rotates maps.
6. How do professional players train for CS2 competitions?
Pros practice through scrimmages ("scrims"), aim routines, VOD reviews, tactical playbook development, utility practice, and map specific drills. Many players log 6-10 hours a day of structured training.
7. What roles exist on a CS2 esports team?
Teams typically include an In Game Leader (IGL), AWPer, Entry Fragger, Support, and Anchor/Lurker. While flexible, these roles help teams execute strategies with structure and consistency.
8. How does CS2 matchmaking differ from pro level competitive play?
Matchmaking pairs random players and uses ranking systems, while pro games use team based strategies, coordinated utility, advanced communication, and event specific rules. Esports also uses LAN environments with low latency and anti cheat oversight.
9. How do LAN tournaments affect performance compared to online play?
LAN events offer minimal latency and a controlled environment that makes gameplay more consistent. However, they also add pressure through crowds, livestreams worldwide, stage lights, and noise that can elevate or destabilize players depending on experience.
10. Is CS2 beginner friendly despite being an esports title?
Yes. The basic objective to plant or defuse the bomb, or eliminate the enemy, is easy to understand. Mastery takes years, while strong fundamentals, aim practice, and map knowledge help new players improve quickly.