StarLadder Budapest Major 2025: Stage 3 Overview of the Most Explosive CS2 Showdown Yet

The final and biggest stage of the Counter-Strike 2 season is here – and the stakes have never been higher. Sixteen teams have survived the gauntlet, and now they collide in Stage 3 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, running from December 4 to December 7. Only eight will make it to the playoffs. As for the rest, their season ends here.

Defending champions Vitality are fighting to protect their legacy after taking the BLAST.tv Austin Major, but FURIA and Falcons have climbed above them in the rankings – and they’re entering Budapest with fire in their veins and a point to prove.

The stage is set. The pressure is real. And the next four days will shape the future of Counter-Strike 2.

Stage 3 Format

• 16 Team Swiss System Format
• Elimination and Advancement matches are Bo3
• All other matches are Bo1
• Top 8 Teams proceed to the Playoffs
• Bottom 8 Teams are eliminated

Stage 3 Teams

Stage 3 Invited Teams

Stage 3 Qualified Teams

Favorites & Underdogs of Stage 3 StarLadder Budapest Major

The Big Three: The Teams to Beat

The world’s top three teams – FURIA, Falcons, and Vitality arrive as the main favorites.

• FURIA are the team everyone fears right now, riding into Budapest with three straight event wins and a streak of dominance over Vitality.
• Vitality, elite all year long, now look vulnerable — but they’re still the reigning Major champions, and champions fight hardest when cornered.
• Falcons, consistent but trophy-less so far, have been waiting for this moment. Budapest could decide whether they become champions… or trigger mid-season roster changes.
  

This is more than a tournament for them. It’s identity-defining.

Heavyweights on the Hunt: MOUZ, Natus Vincere, Spirit, TheMongolZ

These four teams are circling the favorites like sharks:

• MOUZ have been one of the most stable forces in tier-one CS this year.
• Natus Vincere, kings of 2024, know how to step up when the pressure peaks — and they look primed for play-off contention.
• Spirit and TheMongolZ, once terrifying title contenders, have dipped in form after unexpected roster moves… but their individual firepower and experience still outclass most of the field.

One thing is certain: none of these teams came here to finish 9th–16th.

Dark Horses Ready to Strike: FaZe, Liquid, 3DMAX, G2, B8, PARIVISION

These teams are unpredictable, dangerous, and absolutely capable of shaking up the bracket:

• FaZe, Liquid, and G2 have been to the highest levels of competition countless times. Their experience alone makes them terrifying matchups.
  
• 3DMAX, B8, and PARIVISION are the wildcards — teams that weren’t supposed to be here but kept pulling off miracle wins. With the right prep and a spark of momentum, they could steal a playoff slot and ruin someone’s year.

Upset territory starts here.

The Underdog Dreamers: paiN and Imperial

Brazilian fans know the script: when everyone counts them out, they hit their hardest.

Both teams have struggled against top-tier opponents, but all it takes is one hot day, one unexpected momentum swing, or one superstar performance to ignite a Cinderella run. And at a Major? That happens more often than people think.

These teams are dangerous – not because they should win, but because they have nothing to lose.

How to Watch StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

Fans around the world can follow every StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 match live, whether at home, at work, or on the go. All matches will be streamed on the official broadcast channels, with additional coverage provided by partner platforms and regional streams.i

• StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Official Twitch Stream
• StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Official YouTube Stream
• StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Official K1CK  Stream
• StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Secondary Twitch Stream
• StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Secondary K1CK Stream

StarLadder Budapest Major 2025: The Road to Glory

As Stage 3 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 begins, every team enters with a unique story and everything to prove. The favorites aim to cement their dominance, the dark horses look to disrupt expectations, and the underdogs chase the breakout run that could define their season. With only eight playoff spots up for grabs, the next few days promise world-class Counter-Strike and some of the most competitive matches of the year.