The match between Vitality and 3DMAX at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025—expected to start without delays—turned into one of the loudest organizational scandals of the Major. French analyst Croissant Strike shared a segment from the broadcast where 3DMAX coach YouKnowCSGO explained why his team was unable to arrive at the venue on time — and the story shocked even long-time industry veterans.
How It Happened: A Full Breakdown of StarLadder’s Logistical Collapse
According to the 3DMAX coach, the situation began spiraling out of control right after their match against Pain. StarLadder insisted that the team return to the hotel, explaining that their next match would only take place at 9 PM. In other words, 3DMAX had no reason to remain at the arena.
But what followed looked like a poorly directed farce:
- After arriving at the hotel, the team received a message that their match had been moved to 6:40 PM.
- The shuttle to the arena was supposedly scheduled for 6:00 PM.
- Just a few minutes later, a new message arrived — they now needed to leave at 5:45 PM.
- When the team tried to board transportation, it turned out that only one shuttle was available, and Pain had already taken it.
- StarLadder began calling taxis, but the orders were repeatedly cancelled while the players stood outside the hotel in complete uncertainty.
The coach concluded:
We had absolutely no opportunity to prepare for the match against Vitality. These are completely unacceptable conditions for a Major.
In other words, the team arrived at one of the most important matches of the tournament in a state of chaos, stress, and time pressure — solely due to incompetent event logistics.
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“This is a Major. And they’re sending them back to the hotel”: Studio Reaction
⏰❓ POURQUOI LE MATCH 🇪🇺 @TEAMVITALITYCS vs. 🇫🇷 @3DMAXGaming ÉTAIT EN RETARD ?
🇫🇷 @YouKnowCSGO nous a donné la réponse, et c'est tout simplement LUNAIRE pour un Major. 💀 pic.twitter.com/2A9O7lS16D
— Croissant Strike (@CroissantStrike) December 4, 2025
During the live broadcast, commentator Cudder added:
I have to say this out loud: this is shameful. We’re talking about a Major, and teams are being told to go back to the hotel, match times are being changed, shuttles rescheduled. This is unacceptable.
The reaction from the desk was immediate — even for people who have worked in esports for years and witnessed many operational failures, this situation was simply too absurd.
Fans Are Furious: Reddit Explodes
Croissant Strike’s post about the incident quickly gathered thousands of comments and became the top thread of the day on the CSGO subreddit. The community’s main points:
1. A Complete Logistical Breakdown
Users sarcastically listed the basics:
Two teams play at the same time → two teams need to travel at the same time → two shuttles are required. How do you fail this level of math?
2. New Nicknames for StarLadder
The community responded with classic Reddit humor:
- StarBladder
- StartLater
And these were the polite versions.
3. Comparisons with ESL and BLAST
Many commenters argued that neither ESL nor BLAST would ever allow such a situation, as logistics are one of the fundamental pillars of Major operations.
4. StarLadder’s Third Major Scandal in a Row
Fans also recalled the other controversies:
- chaos in Twitch chat caused by a giveaway of a single (!) chair,
- selective banning of copypastas,
- backlash over huge sponsor logos on referee shirts,
- persistent sound and production issues.
Many openly question whether StarLadder should be allowed to host Majors in the future.
What Does This Mean for Teams at a Major?
This situation goes far beyond a simple delay.
At a Major, every team follows a tightly structured preparation cycle: opponent analysis, strategic briefing, warm-up routines, psychological focus. When the match start time changes three times within an hour, and the team is stranded outside a hotel waiting for transport — all of that collapses.
And while Vitality were favorites regardless, the issue of fair competitive conditions becomes central. No team should enter a Major match in a state of panic because of a late shuttle.
Will StarLadder Respond?
As of the moment of publication, the organizer has not issued any official statement. The community expects:
- an explanation of the logistical failure,
- an apology to 3DMAX,
- guarantees that this will not happen again,
- clear communication regarding future scheduling.
For StarLadder, this is a critical moment: how the company handles the crisis may determine its reputation for future Major cycles.
Crisis of Confidence in StarLadder
The story behind the delay of the 3DMAX vs Vitality match has become a symbol of the broader issues plaguing StarLadder at the Budapest Major 2025. Unprofessional logistics, lack of communication, and an inability to handle unexpected situations no longer look like isolated incidents — they form a systemic failure.
Fans are angry, analysts are shocked, teams are sacrificing their preparation, and a tournament that was meant to be a celebration of Counter-Strike is instead becoming a succession of high-profile scandals.
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Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge
Running alongside the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is the Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge — an interactive feature where fans predict match results, choose advancing teams, and earn points throughout the tournament. By making accurate picks, participants unlock rewards ranging from premium skins to rare gloves and knives, with the ultimate prize being the iconic AWP | Dragon Lore.
