The European qualifiers for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 in Budapest are entering their final stage. Thanks to their success at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, NiP significantly improved their chances, while the Ukrainian team B8 made a notable leap forward. The top teams remain the favorites, but intrigue still exists — especially for those hoping to catch the last train.
SITUATION ANALYSIS
According to analysts’ calculations, most European slots are almost decided. Vitality, Spirit, and G2 remain among the main favorites. However, the battle in the lower part of the table continues: NiP, after finishing second at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, rose sharply in the rankings, while B8 — thanks to their third-place finish — increased their chances from 25% to over 50%.
Fnatic, on the other hand, find themselves in a critical situation with 25.2%, while ENCE have practically lost any chance of qualifying (<0.1%).
EU 🇪🇺 Major VRS predictions after Starseries and FISSURE have finished.
Here are the EU teams' chances of making the Budapest major and their expected stage.
Its nearly all decided with the key tournaments out the way, there is a chance of a final last dash though. pic.twitter.com/PXXaD8ISFw
— Finn (@MischiefCS2) September 22, 2025
NIP: SECOND PLACE AT STARSERIES AND A RANKING BOOST
- Current VRS ranking: #22
- Recent matches: victories over B8, OG, and PARIVISION; losses to NAVI.
- Win rate over the last 3 months: 43.5%.
- Strong maps: Nuke (68.8%), Train (55.6%), Ancient (55.6%).
B8: UKRAINIAN SENSATION HOLDS ITS GROUND
- Current VRS ranking: #25
- Recent matches: victories over Gentle Mates, Passion UA, OG; losses to PARIVISION and NiP.
- Win rate over the last 3 months: 41.7%.
- Strong maps: Overpass (100%), Mirage (71.4%), Dust2 (60%).
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
FuseCS:
NiP making the major by beating a bunch of part-timers and lower ranked teams is insane. They made like 100 VRS points at frag against much weaker competition. Majors are pay 2 win now, just send your full-time roster to an NA VRS LAN and hope other good teams can’t fund it.
Travis:
Any chance for fnatic if they win the Birch Cup?
neisee:
How do we have to take this seriously if you’re giving GentleMates a 12% chance when they are top 18 and they’re not playing any tournament that counts for the major? They really have a 0% chance now.
Noah:
Why is it that GL’s stage probability is so high?
IMPORTANCE FOR THE STARLADDER BUDAPEST MAJOR 2025
The outlook confirms: NiP have nearly secured their slot, while for B8 the next few months will be decisive. Fnatic need an absolutely successful run in upcoming tournaments, otherwise their chances will vanish. ENCE, meanwhile, have virtually lost all opportunities.
PREDICTIONS
NiP will likely secure their place in the top 20 and head to the Major as a dangerous mid-tier contender. For B8, the situation is more fragile — the team depends on opponents’ results and may find itself on the verge of qualification. Fnatic still have a small chance for a “last push,” but to achieve this they must deliver a top result at the Birch Cup.
