Look Sports Media – The highly anticipated StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 has revealed its opening matchups for Stage 1, setting the stage for a thrilling start to Counter-Strike’s second major tournament of the year. Commencing on November 24th, the initial phase will showcase a mix of established organizations and hungry underdogs, all vying for a coveted spot in the later stages.
Among the notable participants are former major champions FaZe Clan, Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP), and Fnatic, each looking to make their mark on the Budapest Major. However, due to a confluence of factors, including Team Liquid’s surprising performance at Playground Fissure #2 and the timing of Russel "Twistzz" Van Dulken’s return to FaZe, the latter finds themselves starting from Stage 1. This means FaZe will have to navigate a grueling path through three Swiss stages to reach the playoffs at the MVM Dome if they hope to secure their third major Grand Final appearance in four attempts.
Their journey begins with a challenging encounter against Lynn Vision, a team that previously demonstrated their resilience by advancing from Stage 1 to Stage 3 at the BLAST.tv Austin Major. Elsewhere, Fnatic and NiP will face opponents from South and North America, respectively. NiP, after a roster overhaul, secured their place in the major after missing the Austin event, but their recent form has been inconsistent. Fnatic, still integrating Mykyta "jackasmo" Skyba into their lineup following the controversial benching of Cai "CYPHER" Watson, will be looking to find their stride.
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Legacy, despite their recent victory at the CS Asia Championship and runner-up finish at PGL Masters Bucharest, also find themselves in Stage 1. Had the invite date been later, their impressive form would have secured them a Stage 3 invite. The Brazilian roster is riding a wave of momentum, and if they can maintain it throughout the demanding Swiss stages, they could emerge as a dark horse contender for the playoffs.
Stage 1, along with Stages 2 and 3, will be held at Budapest’s MTK Sportpark, offering a live audience of 2,000 spectators the chance to witness the action firsthand. The initial matches will be Best of 1, followed by Best of 3 for advancement and elimination matches. Eight teams from Stage 1 will progress to Stage 2, continuing the process until the eight-team playoff bracket unfolds at the MVM Dome from December 11-14. Notably, the StarLadder Budapest Major will be the first Counter-Strike major to feature a Best of 5 Grand Final, adding another layer of excitement to the competition.
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