The most anticipated Counter-Strike 2 tournament of the year kicks off today! The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 runs from November 24 to December 14, 2025, bringing together 32 elite teams competing for a $1.25 million prize pool. This historic event marks the first Major ever held in Budapest, Hungary, and introduces the first-ever best-of-five grand final in Major history.
Table of Contents
CS2 Tournament Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | November 24 – December 14, 2025 |
| Location | Budapest, Hungary |
| Prize Pool | $1,250,000 USD |
| Teams | 32 (directly invited) |
| Venues | MTK Sportpark & MVM Dome |
| Format | 3 Swiss stages + Single-elimination playoffs |
Where to Watch the Budapest Major
StarLadder will broadcast the Budapest Major 2025 on Twitch, YouTube, and Kick. Despite initial concerns about gambling sponsorship restrictions, Twitch confirmed the event will stream on its platform as Rollbit only appears as physical branding.
Official Streams:
- Twitch.tv/StarLadder_CS
- YouTube Gaming
- Kick
Popular co-streamers will also be live, so check your favorite platform’s CS2 section during matches.
Tournament Format & Schedule
The group stages (Stages 1-3) take place at MTK Sportpark from November 24 to December 7, featuring a 2,000-seat intimate venue. The playoffs run December 11-14 at the massive MVM Dome, Hungary’s largest indoor arena with 20,000 seats.
Stage Breakdown:
- Stage 1: Nov 24-27 (16 teams)
- Stage 2: Nov 29-Dec 2 (16 teams)
- Stage 3: Dec 4-7 (16 teams)
- Playoffs: Dec 11-14 (Top 8 teams)
All matches use Swiss-system format with best-of-one for regular rounds and best-of-three for elimination and advancement matches.
Top Teams to Watch
Team Vitality enters as defending champions and tournament favorites, having won seven titles in 2025. Other major contenders include FURIA, who recently claimed three consecutive tournament wins, FaZe Clan, NAVI, and Team Falcons.
Tournament Favorites:
- Team Vitality – Defending champions with ZywOo and ropz
- FURIA – Currently the hottest team in CS2
- FaZe Clan – Perennial contenders
- Team Falcons – NiKo’s quest for his first Major continues
For more esports coverage and tournament updates, visit our CS2 tournament hub and check out our latest esports news.
FAQs
When does the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 start?
The tournament begins today, November 24, 2025, with Stage 1 matches at MTK Sportpark. The event concludes on December 14 with the historic best-of-five grand final at MVM Dome.
Can I watch the Budapest Major on Twitch?
Yes! Despite gambling sponsorship concerns, Twitch confirmed the Major will stream on their platform. You can watch on Twitch, YouTube, or Kick without any restrictions.
