CS2 Major 2025 Hits Budapest with StarLadder and $1.25M Prize

It’s official, StarLadder is back in the Major business, and this time they’re going all out. The second CS2 Major 2025 will take place in Budapest, Hungary, and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest Counter-Strike events we’ve ever seen.

The event will run from November 24 to December 14, with 32 teams battling it out for a $1.25 million prize pool and the title of CS2 Major Champion. StarLadder is taking a two-stage approach: an intimate early phase at the MTK Sportpark, and then a stadium-sized blowout for Playoffs in the MVM Dome.

Budapest gets its first Major

The first stage kicks off in MTK Sportpark, a freshly revamped 2,000-seat venue in Budapest. It’s not the flashiest setup, but it gives fans the kind of close-up, offline CS experience you can’t replicate online. Expect packed crowds, high-pressure games, and that uniquely raw atmosphere you only get in smaller venues.

But that’s just the warm-up.

From December 11 to 14, the action moves to the MVM Dome—a 20,000-seat monster of a venue that ranks among the biggest ever used for a CS2 Major. StarLadder promises top-tier production, record-sized LED screens, and all the arena-wide effects you’d expect from a modern stadium show.

“Budapest gives us the perfect stage.”

“Hosting another Major is an incredible honor, and we’re determined to make it unforgettable,” said Roman Romantsov, CEO of StarLadder.

“Budapest gives us the perfect stage to push the boundaries of what a live CS2 event can look and feel like. From day one to the Grand Finals, we’re building something that fans—both in the arena and watching around the world—will remember.”

That’s not just corporate talk either. The StarLadder Berlin Major in 2019 is still remembered as one of the cleanest and most hype-filled Majors in recent memory. If they bring even half of that energy to Budapest, we’re in for something special.

There’s something poetic about hosting the biggest CS2 event of the winter in a city known for its pre-Christmas atmosphere. Budapest in December is a full-on aesthetic: lights, street food, mulled wine, and now, world-class esports.

You’ve got 32 teams, a record-sized arena, and a city that looks like a holiday postcard. If you’re looking for a reason to book a winter trip, this is it.

Where to buy tickets for CS2 Major event?

Tickets for every stage, from the early days at Sportpark to the MVM Dome playoffs, are already available at major.starladder.com. If you’re thinking of going, don’t sleep on it. With a venue this large and a name like StarLadder behind it, demand’s going to be high.

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StarLadder has also made a full media kit available for press, along with contact details for interviews, sponsorships, and marketing.

About StarLader

StarLadder’s been in this game for a while. They hosted their first CS 1.6 events back in 2000, and their CS:GO history includes 18 StarSeries seasons and the Berlin Major 2019. They’ve consistently delivered high-end production without losing touch with what fans actually want to see.

The Starladder CS2 Major in Budapest feels like both a return to form and a level-up. The scale is bigger, the tools are sharper, and the stakes? Higher than ever.

If CS2 needed a moment to prove itself on the global stage, this is it.