{"id":31350,"date":"2025-11-28T16:30:49","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T16:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/?p=31350"},"modified":"2025-11-28T16:30:50","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T16:30:50","slug":"starladder-budapest-major-2025-stage-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/news\/cs-2\/starladder-budapest-major-2025-stage-2\/","title":{"rendered":"StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 2: Format, Teams &amp; Favorites"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Stage 1 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/major.starladder.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>StarLadder Budapest Major 2025<\/strong><\/a> in the books, the spotlight now shifts to <strong>Stage 2<\/strong>, kicking off on <strong>November 29<\/strong> and running until <strong>December 2<\/strong>. Sixteen teams will battle for <strong>eight coveted spots<\/strong> in Stage 3.<br>This stage marks the entry of heavyweights like <strong>Natus Vincere, Aurora,<\/strong> and <strong>Team Liquid<\/strong>, each hungry to reclaim or cement their status among the world\u2019s best. But with pressure at its peak and every team giving their all, nothing will come easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below, we break down the <strong>format<\/strong>, <strong>participating teams<\/strong>, and our analysis of the <strong>favorites, dark horses, and underdogs<\/strong> heading into Stage 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 2 Format<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>16 Team Swiss System<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rounds 2 to 5 are seeded using the Buchholz system &amp; teams&#8217; initial seeds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Elimination and Advancement matches are Bo3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All other matches are Bo1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Top 8 Teams proceed to Stage 3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bottom 8 Teams are eliminated<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 2 Teams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stage 2 Invited Teams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"896\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/stage2inv.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/stage2inv.png 896w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/stage2inv-300x159.png 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/stage2inv-768x406.png 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/stage2inv-150x79.png 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/stage2inv-450x238.png 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 896px) 100vw, 896px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 &#8211; Stage 2 Invited Teams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Qualified From Stage 1 Teams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/starresults1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/starresults1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/starresults1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/starresults1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/starresults1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/starresults1-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/starresults1-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/starresults1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/starresults1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 &#8211; Stage 1 Results &amp; Qualified Teams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>FlyQuest<\/td><td>M80<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ninjas in Pyjamas<\/td><td>B8<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fnatic<\/td><td>FaZe<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Imperial<\/td><td>PARIVISION<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 &#8211; Teams Qualified to Stage 2 from Stage 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 2 Favorites &amp; Underdogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/navics.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/navics.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/navics-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/navics-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/navics-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/navics-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Natus Vincere at PGL Major Copenhagen 2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Favorites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The highest-ranked and most proven squads in this stage are:<br><strong>Aurora, Natus Vincere, FaZe Clan, 3DMAX, Astralis, <\/strong>and<strong> Team Liquid.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aurora<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aurora have made several deep playoff runs throughout the year and recently lifted the <strong>PGL Masters Bucharest<\/strong> trophy, reinforcing their status as one of the most consistent teams in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Natus Vincere<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After being crowned <strong>Team of the Year in 2024<\/strong>, NaVi struggled following several roster changes. 2025 has been a rebuild year, but Stage 2 of the Major offers the perfect chance to reestablish themselves ahead of the season\u2019s end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FaZe Clan &amp; Team Liquid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both <strong>FaZe <\/strong>and <strong>Liquid <\/strong>have undergone major roster overhauls and have lacked championship results in recent years. However, their experience, veteran cores, and ability to beat any opponent on a good day keep them firmly among the favorites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Astralis &amp; 3DMAX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Astralis <\/strong>and <strong>3DMAX <\/strong>have shown competitive form against top-tier opposition. With balanced rosters featuring a mix of experience, firepower, and structure, both lineups have what it takes to secure a Stage 3 spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dark Horses: Potential Breakthrough Teams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/passionua-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/passionua-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/passionua-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/passionua-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/passionua-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/passionua-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/passionua.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Passion UA at BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Passion UA, M80, PARIVISION, B8, TYLOO, Lynn Vision, <\/strong>and <strong>FlyQuest<\/strong> have all shown moments of promise throughout the season. Whether it\u2019s taking maps off top-tier opponents or pulling off unexpected upsets, each of these squads has demonstrated they can compete above their ranking when momentum is on their side.<br>However, inconsistency and limited experience on elite stages often hold them back from making deeper runs. If any of these teams manage to hit their stride early in the Swiss stage, they have the tools and firepower to shake up the standings and send a favorite home early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Underdogs: Teams Fighting Against the Odds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"522\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/nipcs.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31356\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/nipcs.webp 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/nipcs-300x153.webp 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/nipcs-768x392.webp 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/nipcs-150x76.webp 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/nipcs-450x229.webp 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">CS2 Ninjas in Pyjamas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fnatic, Ninjas in Pyjamas, <\/strong>and <strong>Imperial<\/strong> enter Stage 2 with the lowest expectations. Despite the legacy and veteran presence within these lineups, 2025 has been a difficult year marked by roster instability and underperformance against tier-one opposition.<br>None of these squads have produced meaningful results this season, and finding cohesion has been a recurring issue. Still, in a Major setting, experience counts &#8211; and if they manage to stabilize and build confidence early, they could defy expectations. But on paper, they remain the most vulnerable teams in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">StarLadder Budapest Major Opening Matches Schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">November 29<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Astralis <\/strong>vs. <strong>Ninjas in Pyjamas<\/strong> and <strong>3DMAX <\/strong>vs. <strong>Fnatic <\/strong>starting at <strong>13:00 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Passion UA<\/strong> vs. <strong>FaZe <\/strong>and <strong>PARIVISION <\/strong>vs. <strong>TYLOO <\/strong>starting at <strong>14:00 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Natus Vincere<\/strong> vs. <strong>FlyQuest <\/strong>and <strong>Aurora <\/strong>vs. <strong>M80 <\/strong>starting at <strong>15:00 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MIBR <\/strong>vs. <strong>Imperial <\/strong>and <strong>Liquid <\/strong>vs. <strong>B8 <\/strong>starting at <strong>16:00 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Watch StarLadder Budapest Major 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"339\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/twitch-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/twitch-4.png 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/twitch-4-300x99.png 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/twitch-4-768x254.png 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/twitch-4-150x50.png 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/twitch-4-450x149.png 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Streaming Platform Twitch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fans around the world can follow every <strong>StarLadder Budapest Major 2025<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twitch.tv\/starladder_cs_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Official Twitch Stream<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/youtube.com\/StarLadderCSGOEN\/live\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Official YouTube Stream<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kick.com\/starladder1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Official K1CK\u00a0 Stream<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 2: The Fight for Survival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With top contenders joining the fray and ambitious underdogs eager to break through, Stage 2 is set to deliver high-pressure <strong>CS <\/strong>at its finest. Only eight teams will move on &#8211; every round matters. <strong>Budapest <\/strong>is about to witness some of the best <a href=\"https:\/\/www.counter-strike.net\/cs2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Counter-Strike<\/strong> <\/a>of the year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With Stage 1 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 in the books, the spotlight now shifts to Stage 2, kicking off on November 29 and running until December 2. Sixteen teams will battle for eight coveted spots in Stage 3.This stage marks the entry of heavyweights like Natus Vincere, Aurora, and Team Liquid, each hungry<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":31351,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[5,11,247],"class_list":["post-31350","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cs-2","tag-cs2","tag-cs2-news","tag-cs2-tournaments"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31350","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/75"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31350"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31350\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31358,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31350\/revisions\/31358"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}