After the conclusion of StarLadder Budapest Major, map pool analytics became one of the most discussed topics in the CS2 community. The published statistics on map popularity and side balance provide reasons to believe that Ancient could be among the main candidates for removal from the competitive pool.
Data from the Major
Valve traditionally pays attention not only to the visual aspect of maps, but also to the number of matches played and the balance between sides. Data from the Major clearly shows both team preferences and structural issues within the current map pool — especially after the economic changes in CS2.
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Most Played Maps at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
By number of matches played, the distribution looks as follows:
- Dust2 — 31 maps
- Mirage — 30 maps
- Inferno — 28 maps
- Train — 24 maps
- Nuke — 24 maps
- Ancient — 18 maps
- Overpass — 14 maps
Dust2 and Mirage predictably became the absolute leaders of the Major, while Train remains on par with Nuke, showing steady demand among teams. Ancient, meanwhile, is among the least played maps.
Side Balance: the Key Argument Against Ancient
The win percentage by side at the Major is as follows:
- Dust2 — 50.8% (CT), 49.2% (T)
- Mirage — 55.3% (CT), 44.7% (T)
- Inferno — 53.1% (CT), 46.9% (T)
- Train — 54.7% (CT), 45.3% (T)
- Nuke — 57.1% (CT), 42.9% (T)
- Ancient — 47.6% (CT), 52.4% (T)
- Overpass — 53.9% (CT), 46.1% (T)
Ancient is the only map where the T side has a statistical advantage, while CT dominates on all other maps. Dust2, meanwhile, remains nearly perfectly balanced.
Why Overpass Is Safe
Despite having the lowest number of matches played, Overpass is unlikely to become a removal candidate. The map returned to the competitive pool only about six months ago, and Valve traditionally gives such changes significantly more time to adapt.
CS2 Context: Economy and Imbalance
The current Major once again highlighted the issue of CT-side advantage, which has intensified after the economic changes in CS2. This creates the groundwork for future balance updates, regardless of whether the map pool itself is changed.
Ancient as the Most Vulnerable Map
The StarLadder Budapest Major statistics make Ancient the most vulnerable map in the competitive pool: low popularity among teams and the only T-side advantage are serious signals for Valve. At the same time, Dust2, Mirage, and Inferno have reaffirmed their status as the backbone of competitive CS, while Train has solidified its position alongside Nuke.
