The 32 best Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) esports teams in the world are heading to Budapest, Hungary, for the crowning event of the year: StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. As a Major Championship, the tournament looks to showcase more than two weeks of the best CS2 action imaginable.
In this guide to the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, we share all the essential details, including the tournament format and schedule, prize pool, competing teams, and how fans can watch every match. As a bonus, we also put together expert betting predictions for those looking to get in on the action.
StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Schedule & Format
From Nov. 24 to Dec. 14, the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 will follow the new Major Championship format that we first saw at the BLAST.tv Austin Major earlier this year.
This event features four distinct stages of competition, all of which take place in front of a live crowd. The initial three stages have the same 16-team Swiss system, with the top eight teams advancing to the next stage. Advancement and elimination matches are best-of-three, while all other matches are best-of-one. Stages 1 to 3 take place at the MTK Sportpark venue.
A single-elimination bracket format is used in the Playoffs Stage, where Quarterfinals and Semifinals matches are best-of-three. For the first time in Major Championship history, the Grand Final is a best-of-five slugfest, instead of best-of-three.
Budapest Major Schedule Per Stage:
- Stage 1: Nov. 24 to 27
- Stage 2: Nov. 29 to Dec. 2
- Stage 3: Dec. 4 to 7
- Playoffs Stage: Dec. 11 to 14
For exact match start times in your region, stay tuned to our consistently updated CS2 betting section.
Prize Pool Distribution
The total Valve-sponsored prize pool for StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is $1,250,000. Check out the full breakdown below.
| Place | Prize Money (USD) |
| 1st | $500,000 |
| 2nd | $170,000 |
| 3rd-4th | $80,000 |
| 5th-8th | $45,000 |
| 9th-16th | $20,000 |
| 17th-24th | $10,000 |
| 25th-32nd | $5,000 |
| Total | $1,250,000 |
How To Watch StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
To watch the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 from the comfort of your home, simply navigate to our CS2 betting section. It’s brimming with opportunities as we share in the excitement of the year’s crowning event. Select a match via the “Live” tab, and you’ll see a stream and bet slip appear. This allows registered users to place in-play wagers while watching the thrilling matches unfold.
Watch StarLadder Budapest from any angle with Betpeek
If you’re looking to follow a specific player or just take control of the action you see, Betpeek, exclusively here on Thunderpick, gives you that option. All StarLadder Budapest matches will have a 3D icon next to them to view the game in a CS Source inspired live replay of the match. Viewable on Mobile and Desktop, follow any POV or fly around the map to get extra angles on the action.
Alternatively, you can watch all the top-tier CS2 action unfold via the tournament organizer’s official Twitch, Kick, and YouTube channels.
Teams Competing In StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
A total of 32 teams will be heading to the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. They all earned direct invites to specific stages based on their Valve Regional Standings (VRS) rankings as of Oct. 6, 2025.
Stage 1 Direct Invite Teams:
- FaZe Clan (Europe)
- GamerLegion (Europe)
- Ninjas in Pyjamas (Europe)
- B8 (Europe)
- PARIVISION (Europe)
- Fnatic (Europe)
- Legacy (Americas)
- Imperial Esports (Americas)
- M80 (Americas)
- NRG Esports (Americas)
- Fluxo (Americas)
- RED Canids (Americas)
- Lynn Vision (Asia)
- The Huns (Asia)
- FlyQuest (Asia)
- Rare Atom (Asia)
Stage 2 Direct Invite Teams:
- Aurora Gaming (Europe)
- NAVI (Europe)
- Astralis (Europe)
- 3DMAX (Europe)
- Team Liquid (Europe)
- MIBR (Americas)
- Passion UA (Americas)
- TYLOO (Asia)
Stage 3 Direct Invite Teams:
- Team Vitality (Europe)
- MOUZ (Europe)
- Team Spirit (Europe)
- Team Falcons (Europe)
- G2 Esports (Europe)
- FURIA (Americas)
- paiN Gaming (Americas)
- The MongolZ (Asia)
Teams in their respective starting stages from the different regions are listed in no particular order.
Our Predictions For StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
At the heart of our StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 predictions is diligent research. We considered a variety of factors, including recent performances on LAN, matchup histories, individual player form, and, where applicable, roster changes.
To avoid Stage 1 and 2 upsets messing with our predictions, we’ve only picked teams starting in Stage 3, as they are closest to a top-eight finish.
Important: These predictions reflect the perceived strength of teams based on historical trends and the latest available odds. This analysis should not be interpreted as betting advice. Past performance does not guarantee future outcomes. Always gamble responsibly.
FURIA
It’s high time a team from the Americas wins a Major Championship in CS2, and the frontrunner in the region is FURIA. The squad is on fire in the second half of the year, lifting the organization’s first top-tier LAN trophy at FISSURE Playground 2 in September.
We were on the edge of our seats in Malta as FURIA won the Thunderpick World Championship (TWC) 2025 Finals, reverse-sweeping NAVI. And on Nov. 9, FURIA cemented themselves as one of the best current teams in the world, crushing Team Vitality with a 3-0 to lift the IEM Chengdu 2025 trophy.
If this squad can make it to the Grand Final, there’s a specific, interesting stat that indicates they could lift the trophy. FURIA’s two-time Major Championship-winning IGL, Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, has won 14 best-of-five LAN finals and only lost once, which was back at IEM Katowice 2016, in his storied career.
Taking FalleN’s track record into consideration, and that the StarLadder Budapest Major will, for the first time in Major Championship history, feature a best-of-five Grand Final, we predict that FURIA will claim the trophy.
FURIA roster:
- Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis
- Yuri “yuurih” Boian
- Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato
- Danil “molodoy” Golubenko
- Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo (IGL)
- Sidnei “sidde” Macedo (Coach)
Team Vitality
With eight top-tier LAN trophies added to their incredible list of achievements in 2025 thus far, Team Vitality remains a top contender. They are the defending champions after all, having won the BLAST.tv Austin Major back in June.
While Vitality has shown minor weaknesses in the second half of the year, there’s no denying their claim to the throne. Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut is in prime position for the Player of the Year award, and Estonian superstar rifler Robin “ropz” Kool is clicking heads with vigor.
We predict that three-time Major Championship winner, Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, will lead his talented team to at least a podium finish.
Team Vitality roster:
- Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
- Robin “ropz” Kool
- Shahar “flameZ” Shushan
- William “mezii” Merriman
- Dan “apEX” Madesclaire (IGL)
- Rémy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam (Coach)
Team Falcons
Saudi Arabian esports organization Team Falcons picked up their first top-tier LAN trophy in CS2 (PGL Bucharest) in April of this year. Since their win in Romania, the squad has posted a string of solid results (2nd to 4th place) without adding more silverware to their cabinet.
Considering the pedigree of the Falcons roster, it would be shocking to see them drop out before the Semifinals of the StarLadder Budapest Major. If rifling prodigy Maksim “kyousuke” Lukin and star AWPer Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov can keep up their current form, Falcons are primed to win their first Major Championship trophy.
Team Falcons roster:
- Nikola “NiKo” Kovač
- Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov
- René “TeSeS” Madsen
- Maksim “kyousuke” Lukin
- Damjan “kyxsan” Stoilkovski (IGL)
- Danny “zonic” Sørensen (Coach)
MOUZ
Despite only picking up one top-tier LAN trophy (PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025), MOUZ has proven time and again that they can take down the best in the business. With Swedish entry fragger Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin calling the shots on the server, acclimating exceptionally well to the leadership role, the squad could reach new heights at the end of the year.
The MOUZ roster is passionate, hungry, and exceptionally talented. Lifting the StarLadder Budapest Major would be a dream come true for Hungarian AWPer Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás, and a cheering home crowd may just bolster MOUZ’s chances.
MOUZ roster:
- Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás
- Dorian “xertioN” Berman
- Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo
- Lotan “Spinx” Giladi
- Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin (IGL)
- Dennis “sycrone” Nielsen (Coach)
StarLadder Budapest Major Should Be One For The Books
Will FURIA’s late-season dominance continue? Could Vitality secure back-to-back Major glory, or will Falcons or MOUZ peak when it matters most? With so many storylines colliding, this Major is set to deliver nonstop excitement.
At Thunderpick, we are locked and loaded for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, sharing in the pure joy and entertainment with CS2 esports fans across the globe.
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