StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 2 Begins

The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 entered its second stage on Monday in Budapest, Hungary, where 16 Counter-Strike 2 teams began competing in a Swiss-system format to determine eight qualifiers for the playoffs. Favorites like Natus Vincere and Aurora Gaming secured straightforward victories in the opening round, while underdogs including B8 and Ninjas in Pyjamas delivered upsets against higher-seeded opponents, setting a competitive tone for the week-long event.

Stage 2 features eight teams that advanced from the grueling Stage 1—such as FaZe Clan, Imperial Esports, PARIVISION, B8, FlyQuest, M80, and Fnatic—joined by eight direct entrants: Aurora Gaming, Natus Vincere, Team Liquid, 3DMAX, Astralis, TYLOO, MIBR, and Passion UA. Under the Swiss format, teams need three wins to advance to Stage 3, while three losses result in elimination. The opening matches, all best-of-three series, unfolded across multiple maps, highlighting both dominant performances and narrow escapes.

Natus Vincere started strongly, dismantling FlyQuest 13-2 in a one-sided affair that underscored the Ukrainians' recent form, including a tournament win at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025. Aurora Gaming,...