From September 18 to 21, Budapest will host StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, a $500,000 Tier-1 tournament that comes at a crucial moment before the fall Major. With just eight teams in a double-elimination bracket, every best-of-three series carries enormous weight. One early defeat means an immediate fight for survival in the lower bracket, and only the most consistent rosters will last until championship Sunday.
Format
The event runs on a double-elimination bracket, with all matches played in best-of-three. The winner secures $200,000 and valuable VRS points for Major qualification. Second place earns $130,000, while teams finishing 3rd–4th and 5th–8th share the rest of the prize pool.
S-Tier — NAVI
Natus Vincere enter as the undisputed favorites. Even despite recent setbacks, they had time to reset and prepare, and everything points to a dominant run through the bracket. Anything less than a grand final — and likely a championship — would be a major disappointment.
A-Tier — Ninjas in Pyjamas, OG
NiP need VRS points to secure their Major spot, and the recent roster changes have helped stabilize their play. The team is finding form and should be considered a direct challenger to NAVI. OG arrive in excellent shape after strong showings over the past months. Their ceiling may not yet be enough to dethrone NAVI, but a top-4 finish looks well within reach.
B-Tier — B8, Gentle Mates, Passion UA
B8 are under pressure: the start of the season was disastrous, and only a strong StarSeries run will keep their Major hopes alive. They’ve invested into bootcamp preparation, so excuses are gone — results must follow. Gentle Mates are a true grind-to-glory story, battling through qualifiers to now stand on the Tier-1 stage. They’re dark horses here, capable of upsetting anyone if momentum is on their side.
Passion UA, built from the former Complexity core, disappointed heavily at their last LAN. Budapest is their chance to prove they deserved the buyout and to finally deliver on expectations.
C-Tier — 9INE, PARIVISION
9INE suffered a blow when phzy left for Wildcard, leaving the lineup weakened. They enter StarSeries as clear underdogs, and even a single match win would be considered a success. PARIVISION, led by Jame as captain, are slowly building identity and structure. This tournament is an important test — not just for results, but for showing they can compete against Tier-1 lineups with their new system.
Playoff Prediction
NAVI are the safest lock for the grand final, with NiP and OG the most likely to fill the semifinal slots. For the last top-4 place, B8 and Gentle Mates stand out: B8 bring firepower but must shake off inconsistency, while Gentle Mates thrive on momentum. Passion UA remain the biggest question mark — either redemption or another collapse.
Final Thoughts
NAVI are clear favorites to lift the trophy, but the battle beneath them is wide open. NiP and OG look competitive, B8 must deliver, Gentle Mates could surprise, and the rest are hungry to prove themselves. With elimination matches lurking from the very first day, StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025 in Budapest promises raw intensity and the kind of upsets that shape the road to the Major.
