The wait is over — the 32 qualified teams for the StarLadder Major Budapest 2025 are officially confirmed. With the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) now locked as of October 6, no further results or roster moves can alter the ranking. The road to Budapest is set, and the final invitations have been validated by both Valve and StarLadder.
Qualification Drama Until the Final Hours
The last two weeks before the VRS deadline offered a level of tension rarely seen on the competitive circuit. Teams sitting on the edge of qualification traveled across the globe to grab every remaining VRS point available.
Among the biggest stories: Fnatic, PARIVISION, RED Canids, and Fluxo all secured their spots in the very last hours.
Fnatic’s case was particularly remarkable. The British organization crossed the Atlantic to compete at Fragadelphia Blocktober 2025, facing 9INE in a grueling best-of-five grand final. Their 3–2 victory earned them the final European slot for the Major — a decisive win that eliminated OG and ECSTATIC from contention.
In the upper part of the European table, G2 edged out Aurora by just three VRS points, granting them direct access to Stage 3 (Legends Stage) alongside Vitality, Spirit, Falcons, and MOUZ.
A Global Balance for the StarLadder Major 2025
The VRS system, implemented since the launch of Counter-Strike 2, once again demonstrated its accuracy and the growing competitiveness of the scene.
Here’s how the 32 qualified teams break down across the stages:
Stage 3 – Legends Stage
Vitality, Spirit, Falcons, MOUZ, G2, FURIA, paiN, The MongolZ
Stage 2 – Elimination Stage
Aurora, Natus Vincere, Liquid, 3DMAX, MIBR, Astralis, TYLOO, Passion UA
Stage 1 – Opening Stage
FaZe, PARIVISION, GamerLegion, Ninjas in Pyjamas, B8, Fnatic, Legacy, M80, Imperial, NRG, Fluxo, RED Canids, Lynn Vision, The Huns, FlyQuest, Rare Atom
This lineup reflects a global balance rarely seen in Major history — with 16 European, 8 Americas, and 8 Asia–Oceania teams.
Emerging names like PARIVISION (CIS) and The Huns (Mongolia) bring fresh diversity to the biggest stage in Counter-Strike 2.
A Historic Return for StarLadder
Set to take place from November 24 to December 14, 2025, at the MVM Dome Arena in Budapest, the event marks StarLadder’s long-awaited return to Major hosting — years after its last appearance. It will also be the first-ever Counter-Strike 2 Major held in Hungary, a strong symbol for the rapidly growing Central European scene.
The event will unfold in three key stages:
- Opening Stage: November 24–28
- Elimination Stage: November 29–December 3
- Legends Stage: December 4–8
The playoffs will then run until December 14, capping off the final Major of the year.
Two Months to Prepare for the Battle Ahead
Teams now have around seven weeks to fine-tune their strategies and adapt to CS2’s constantly shifting meta. With recent map updates and an increasingly intense tournament calendar, both mental and tactical preparation will be crucial.
Between established giants (Vitality, NAVI, G2) and ambitious underdogs (Fnatic, Legacy, The MongolZ), this Major is shaping up to be one of the most open and unpredictable of the CS2 era.
The margins are shrinking, rivalries are building, and Budapest is ready to host one of the most intense Counter-Strike events in recent memory — one worthy of the global community’s anticipation.