Day 1 of the Budapest Major opens with eight Stage 1 BO1s—compare odds, map lines and value plays, including M80 to win, Imperial -3.5 and Legacy -3.5.
Day 1 of the Budapest Major opens with eight Stage 1 BO1s—compare odds, map lines and value plays, including M80 to win, Imperial -3.5 and Legacy -3.5.

The long-awaited StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is set to kick off on Monday, November 24, with the first eight fixtures of Stage 1. Featuring 16 teams, the opening day will be crucial for the squads to get their wheels spinning, while offering plenty of betting opportunities to explore for esports fans.
Esportbet brings you free Counter-Strike 2 betting predictions for the first day of Budapest Major, with expert picks and odds from the best CS2 bookmakers.
| Best Odds | B8 -138.89 at BetOnline | M80 +100 at SportsBetting |
| When | November 24, 2025 | 13:00 CEST |
| Watch Live | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/starladder_cs_en) |
M80’s international lineup have had a solid season. While this roster is not weak enough to be ignored, they are also not quite strong enough to make a deep run. However, in the Tier-2 scene, M80 have found success, more recently by winning DreamHack Knockout Atlanta 2025.
B8 can be viewed as equal to M80 talent-wise. However, they have not managed to gain much momentum ahead of their trip to Budapest, with early eliminations at the CS Asia Championships and PGL Masters Bucharest. This alone could be the difference maker.
At even money, M80 are a solid pick. They’re hardly worse than B8 and in better shape.
| Best Odds | Imperial -250 at BetOnline | RA +175 at SportsBetting |
| When | November 24, 2025 | 13:00 CEST |
| Watch Live | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/starladder_cs_en) |
The best Counter-Strike 2 betting sites have Imperial Esports priced as firm favorites to defeat Rare Atom on Monday. This is not shocking, as even though neither team is expected to go far in this tournament, it is fair to have more faith in Imperial.
Imperial field veteran players in Vinicius “VINI” Figueiredo, Santino “try” Rigal, and Marcelo “chelo” Cespedes, whose presence alone is a good reason to take Imperial’s side on the big stage.
| Best Odds | Legacy -277.78 at BetOnline | FLY +200 at SportsBetting |
| When | November 24, 2025 | 14:00 CEST |
| Watch Live | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/starladder_cs_en) |
FlyQuest are huge underdogs for their first match of the Budapest Major, as the Oceanic squad take on Legacy. Even though FlyQuest have had their moments and seem poised to advance to Stage 2, Legacy are arguably one of the main contenders to go 3-0.
The Brazilian squad have recently won CS Asia Championships and reached the finals of PGL Masters Bucharest, beating
FlyQuest 2-0 en route to the grand final. Another convincing victory for Legacy seems likely.
| Best Odds | Paravision -714.29 at BetOnline | Huns +400 at SportsBetting |
| When | November 24, 2025 | 14:00 CEST |
| Watch Live | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/starladder_cs_en) |
PARIVISION are heavy favorites for their opening match of the Major. Led by former Major winner Dzhami “Jame” Ali, the
Russian squad arrived in Budapest on a confident eight-match winning streak, granted they’ve not played a game this month.
The Huns also haven’t been active in November and appear outmatched at this level. The Mongolian side suffer from a
significant firepower deficit, especially against European teams, as evident by a recent crushing 1-13 loss to 3DMAX.
While PARIVISION’s recent streak does not include any clashes with elite teams, the Huns should not pose a serious challenge.
| Best Odds | GL -277.78 at BetOnline | Fluxo +200 at SportsBetting |
| When | November 24, 2025 | 15:00 CEST |
| Watch Live | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/starladder_cs_en) |
GamerLegion are fresh off a top-four run at PGL Bucharest, where they proved their worth with wins against a few strong
teams. While this new roster is still not at 100%, the veteran presence of Fredrik “REZ” Sterner and Erik “ztr” Gustafsson should offer some much-needed stability.
Fluxo’s international appearances this season haven’t been successful, and this is unlikely to change in Hungary. However, they prefer a hyper-aggressive style that can catch opponents off guard, especially in best-of-one games.
This is GamerLegion’s game to lose. But at $3.00, Fluxo are an interesting outsider pick.
| Best Odds | NiP -303.03 at BetOnline | NRG +225 at SportsBetting |
| When | November 24, 2025 | 15:00 CEST |
| Watch Live | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/starladder_cs_en) |
Ninjas in Pyjamas return to a Major stage after one year, and according to the latest betting odds, they are expected to start their campaign with a win.
NRG have dominated the North American scene recently; however, their performances on European soil have been lacklustre, thus they will have a lot to prove in Hungary.
This is a clash between two teams who have a lot to prove. NRG have yet to prove their worth, while Ninjas in Pyjamas have been struggling mainly due to the lack of firepower. This alone could be a massive problem in best-of-one, despite NRG’s shaky results against European teams.
| Best Odds | FaZe -303.03 at BetOnline | LVG +225 at SportsBetting |
| When | November 24, 2025 | 16:00 CEST |
| Watch Live | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/starladder_cs_en) |
On paper, this appears to be a very one-sided game in favor of FaZe Clan. However, this legendary team have not managed the most promising results leading to the Major. Moreover, FaZe are known for slow starts in tournaments and have a habit of fumbling in opening Bo1s.
Lynn Vision might not have the star players of FaZe, but their aggressive style of play could be a powerful tool. Lynn Vision
thrive in chaos, and if they can force their game on FaZe Clan, things could get very messy on Monday.
| Best Odds | FNC -277.78 at BetOnline | RED +200 at SportsBetting |
| When | November 24, 2025 | 16:00 CEST |
| Watch Live | Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/starladder_cs_en) |
Fnatic’s international roster has been through a bit of a shakeup in the months leading up to the Major. While this is far from optimal, this lineup of players should do more than fine in the first stage, with Benjamin “blameF” Bremer and Freddy “KRIMZ” Johansson leading the charge.
On paper, this looks like a manageable game for RED Canids, but the Brazilian squad have been very underwhelming recently, even in lesser regional events. Fielding one stand-in and two loaned players, RED Canids lack stability and will need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to upset the European squad.