The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 brought together 32 of the world’s top Counter-Strike 2 teams from November 24 to December 14, competing for a $1.25 million prize pool. The tournament featured a Swiss-system group stage followed by a single-elimination playoff bracket, culminating in the grand final at one of Europe’s most storied esports venues.
Across three weeks of intense competition, squads from every region demonstrated tactical depth, individual skill, and adaptability across the evolving CS2 map pool. Team Spirit and Natus Vincere also delivered strong performances, finishing in the top four and showcasing the diverse global strength of the field.
A French feat
Vitality’s win in Budapest was built on a balanced blend of strategic discipline, aggressive utility usage, and the remarkable playmaking of Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, who earned his third Major MVP award, a milestone that places him among Counter-Strike’s most decorated competitors. The French organization’s run through the playoff bracket highlighted how the club has remained at the forefront of tactical innovation and roster optimization throughout the year, overcoming top names and meta shifts alike.
FaZe Clan’s deep run to the final reaffirmed their elite status on the world stage, while Vitality’s third Major trophy of 2025 capped a year in which they also secured multiple Tier S titles outside of Valve-sanctioned events.
From Riyadh to Budapest
While StarLadder marked the final Major of the year, Counter-Strike 2 at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh delivered its own unforgettable moments earlier in the season. The MongolZ captured the CS2 title at EWC 25 with a commanding 3-0 sweep over Aurora Gaming, marking the first time a Mongolian team claimed an international CS2 championship and setting a historic precedent for Asian esports on the global stage.
Team Vitality was a standout favorite heading into EWC 25, but The MongolZ thwarted their run in a 2-1 match. Vitality secured its revenge in Budapest, however, by defeating The MongolZ in their opening playoff match. The MongolZ were shut out and had little hope across two maps.
The juxtaposition between The MongolZ’s underdog triumph at EWC 2025 and Vitality’s sustained success at the Majors reflects the rich competitive landscape of Counter-Strike 2. At EWC, the pressure of the single-elimination format brought out high-level clutch moments and national pride, while the extended Swiss and playoff structure at StarLadder rewarded long-term consistency and deep tactical preparation. Teams such as Natus Vincere, Spirit, MOUZ, and Falcons underscored the global breadth of talent, each posting strong finishes at multiple premier events throughout the year.
