One of the most anticipated tournaments of the year — StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 — will begin on November 24. The organizers have unveiled the opening matchups of the first round, and the list combines legendary names with ambitious newcomers getting their first chance to shine on the Major stage.
StarLadder’s return and the new Major structure
After a six-year hiatus, StarLadder returns as the organizer of the season’s main event. The Budapest Major 2025 format consists of three stages:
- Stage 1: November 24–27 — qualifying round featuring 16 teams.
- Stage 2: November 29 – December 2 — battle for playoff advancement.
- Stage 3 (Playoffs): December 4–14 — final stage with a prize pool of $1.17 million.
The tournament takes place in Budapest, Hungary, and brings together teams from all regions — Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the CIS.
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First round: the start of a global battle
The opening stage of StarLadder Major marks a new chapter in CS2 competition. Sixteen teams will face off in the first round — from scene veterans to those making their debut on a Major stage.
- Legacy vs FlyQuest
- FaZe vs Lynn Vision
- B8 vs M80
- GamerLegion vs Fluxo
- Fnatic vs RED Canids
- PARIVISION vs The Huns
- NIP vs NRG
- Imperial vs Rare Atom
The Swiss system allows teams with two losses to retain a chance to advance, keeping intrigue alive even after an unsuccessful start.
Format and participants
The top eight teams from Stage 1 will qualify for Stage 2, where they will face elite opponents such as NaVi, Astralis, Liquid, MIBR, TYLOO, Passion UA, and others. That’s where the true battle for playoffs and a spot in the final 16 will begin. The map pool remains classic: Dust2, Mirage, Inferno, Nuke, Train, Overpass, and Ancient.
The main storylines of the opening stage
The Budapest Major could become an arena for a clash of generations — seasoned giants like FaZe and Fnatic will meet new regional contenders who have emerged after the update to Valve’s Regional Standings (VRS). The European bracket deserves special attention, with several teams set to fight for survival right from the first round. Among them are long-time scene legends aiming to reclaim past glory and fresh lineups stepping onto the Major stage for the first time.
Reshaping the scene
StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is more than just another tournament — it’s a symbol of the revival of the classic Major format in the new CS2 era. Here, former champions and new challengers will collide, and the opening round already promises to mark the beginning of stories fans around the world will remember.
