StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Tournament preview

Set to kick off on Monday, November 24, StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is the second and final Counter-Strike 2 Major of the year, marking the end of the competitive season.

The tournament will run from November 24 to December 14 in Budapest, Hungary, providing fans with three weeks of non-stop action as the world’s top 32 teams battle for the trophy and the biggest slice of the US$1,250,000 prize pool.

Succeeding BLAST Rivals Fall, the Budapest Major is the final S-Tier tournament of the year until the competition resumes in January with BLAST Bounty Winter.

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  Fast Payouts

As previous Majors, it will play out in four stages, starting with a 16-team Swiss-style group, with all games played as best-of-one, except for advancement and elimination fixtures, which are best-of-three. The top eight teams will proceed to Stage 2 and join eight Stage 2 invites.

The format will repeat for Stages 2 and 3 until eight teams remain and advance to the playoffs. Playoffs are single-elimination, with Bo3 quarterfinals and semifinals, culminating in a Bo5 grand final.

Despite its straightforward format, the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is stacked with world-class rosters, guaranteeing an exciting battle for the top spots and plenty of betting opportunities on the best CS2 betting sites.

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  The bookies' bookie

StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Outright Odds

StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Invites

FURIA

FURIA head to Budapest as the team to beat. Despite being competitive for most of the season, FURIA found a new gear in the last two months, winning four of five big events leading to the Major. As the most in-form team, the international roster will be under everyone’s radar.

Team Vitality

The defending Major champions had an excellent start to the season, winning seven straight S-Tier tournaments. Since the title run in Austin, Vitality have cooled down but have racked up nine top-four finishes, proving they still have what it takes to compete for top spots.

Team Falcons

One of the most stacked teams in the world, the Falcons have had their moments this season. They placed top four in the last five S-Tier tournaments and hold silver medals from ESL Pro League Season 22 and BLAST Rivals Fall. Fielding some of the best players in the world, the Falcons are a serious threat.

MOUZ

While not a team many would consider serious title contenders, MOUZ have been the most consistent squad of the 2025
season. Since the turn of the year, MOUZ have finished outside the top four just three times, and once since February. A small push could be all it takes for MOUZ to go all the way.

Thunderpick World Championship 2025 Picks

Best Bet – Team Vitality to Win

Team Vitality are not nearly as dominant as they were from the start of the season up until their Major title run in Austin.
However, even though they’ve failed to keep their unbeaten run going, Vitality have done well in the recent four tournaments, with one gold medal from ESL Pro League, two silver medals from BLAST Open Fall and IEM Chengdu, and a semifinal run at BLAST Rivals Fall.

The Bees proved they have what it takes to win a Major five months ago, and there is nothing that would suggest they can’t do it again.

Value Bet – MOUZ To Reach Finals

Consistency is what wins Major titles, and MOUZ are one of the very few elite Counter-Strike 2 teams that have been very
consistent this season. Since February, they have placed top four in all but one competition they’ve entered, which is a good indication of their quality.

Always a bridesmaid, never the bride, MOUZ have managed just one trophy. However, they’ve consistently come close.