The Stage Is Set for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
- Tung "Ginn" Duong
- Oct 7
- 3 min read
The stage is officially set for the second biggest CS2 event of the year — the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. With Valve’s Regional Standings (VRS) system finalizing the invite list, all 32 teams heading to Hungary have now been confirmed, marking the beginning of the road to the last Major of the year.
The Stage Is Set for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
Running from November 24 to December 14, the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 will take over Budapest’s MVM Dome for the playoffs, following three intense Swiss-system stages at the MTK Sportpark.
A $1.25 million prize pool and the coveted Major trophy are on the line, along with bragging rights that could define the competitive year. This Major will also be the first event to fully transition to the VRS-only invite model, with no open or regional qualifiers. Every slot was earned based on season-long performance.
How Invites Were Distributed
Valve’s new structure divides invites according to regional strength:
Europe remains the dominant region, receiving the majority of spots across all stages.
Americas secure a healthy eight slots.
Asia earns an expanded presence with six representatives — a notable step forward for the region.
Stage 3 Invites (8 Teams)
Source These eight squads will bypass the opening rounds and start directly in the final Swiss stage thanks to their top-tier VRS ranking:
Team Vitality (Europe)
Team Spirit (Europe)
Team Falcons (Europe)
MOUZ (Europe)
G2 Esports (Europe)
FURIA (Americas)
paiN Gaming (Americas)
The MongolZ (Asia)
These teams represent the current elite — the ones to beat when the tournament reaches its crucial phase.
Stage 2 Invites (8 Teams)
The next wave features familiar names and rising contenders who will enter the second stage of the Major:
Aurora Gaming (Europe)
Natus Vincere (Europe)
Astralis (Europe)
3DMAX (Europe)
Team Liquid (Europe)
MIBR (Americas)
Passion UA (Americas)
TYLOO (Asia)
This stage will showcase redemption stories — from Liquid’s attempt to reclaim Major form to Astralis’ ongoing rebuild.
Stage 1 Invites (16 Teams)
The journey begins here for half of the Major’s participants. With only half the field advancing to the next round, pressure will be immense from the very first map:
FaZe Clan (Europe)
GamerLegion (Europe)
Ninjas in Pyjamas (Europe)
B8 (Europe)
PARIVISION (Europe) (New)
Fnatic (Europe)
Legacy (Americas)
Imperial Esports (Americas)
M80 (Americas)
NRG (Americas)
RED Canids (Americas) (New)
Lynn Vision (Asia)
The Huns Esports (Asia) (New)
FlyQuest (Asia)
Rare Atom (Asia)
Fluxo (Americas)
With legends like FaZe and Fnatic starting from the bottom, the opening stage could easily see major upsets, surprise runs from new contenders like PARIVISION and The Huns Esports, or early exits for established names.
VRS System Shapes the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
Beyond the usual prestige, Budapest represents a turning point in Counter-Strike’s Major system.
The VRS-only qualification means no more regional open qualifiers — every team at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 was measured on long-term performance, making this the most merit-based Major to date.
A Global Clash on Hungarian Soil
From American firepower to European tactical mastery and Asian ambition, the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 promises one of the most diverse and competitive fields ever assembled.
With so many established titans and hungry challengers in the mix, the event is shaping up to deliver the kind of drama, emotion, and unforgettable storylines that define Counter-Strike’s greatest moments.
The countdown begins. Budapest awaits.
