The first round of this tournament will be a series of quick, one-game matches. Three of these pairings look particularly exciting, each for its own unique reasons.
Watching the first matches of a CS2 Major is always exciting. With the Swiss System format and just one map per match, every decision and ban feels crucial. Teams have limited room for adjustment, especially with the best-of-12 format. The tournament is a marathon, and players often bring unexpected intensity and energy to each game.
Even though it’s early in the tournament, with Stage 2’s first matches underway, every game matters. Some teams are hoping to get a quick lead and win all their matches in the initial round.
Out of the first ten matches, we think these three are the most compelling. They showcase a variety of strategies from established teams, the top performers from the Budapest Major’s opening stage, and teams that could be contenders to win the whole tournament.
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Astralis versus Ninjas in Pyjamas
| Map bans | Map to play on | Score |
|---|---|---|
| TBD | TBD | 0:0 |
Different approaches of legacy organizations
Neither of these teams is expected to win the tournament, but both Astralis and NiP are well-known and historically successful Counter-Strike organizations. However, they’re approaching the game differently in CS2.
Astralis is building on what made them successful in the past. While most of their championship-winning team have moved on, two key players – Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz and Emil “Magisk” Reif – have returned to compete for Astralis.
Astralis’ performance in Counter-Strike 2 has been quite up and down for their fans. They recently had a strong showing at IEM Chengdu 2025, finishing in the top 6, which was a pleasant surprise.
Ninjas in Pyjamas is a long-standing esports organization in Counter-Strike, known for its history. They used to build teams by signing well-known, successful players like dev1ce. However, NiP now has a team of up-and-coming players who are changing how people view the organization in CS2.
The team competed in the first stage of the 2025 StarLadder CS2 Major in Budapest and won, with a final score of 3-1. They notably defeated FaZe in one of their matches.
Passion UA versus FaZe as one of the top matches on the Major’s Stage 2, Round 1
| Map bans | Map to play on | Score |
|---|---|---|
| TBD | TBD | 0:0 |
Fresh power against struggling veterans
One of the teams in this match is considered a potential underdog in the Major. It’s surprising to many that Passion UA even made it to the second stage of the tournament.
Just before competing in the StarLadder tournament in Budapest, PUA participated in BLAST Rivals Fall 2025. They defeated The MongolZ and put up a strong fight against Falcons, resulting in a solid overall showing.
FaZe was expected to perform well in Stage 1, and they showed flashes of brilliance, but their performance was very inconsistent. They could play amazingly one moment, and then struggle the next.
Many fans are hoping FaZe will compete in Stage 2 of the Budapest Major, though it’s hard to accurately gauge their current strength. Most believe they’re capable of defeating Passion UA.
NAVI vs FlyQuest
| Map bans | Map to play on | Score |
|---|---|---|
| TBD | TBD | 0:0 |
The best team from Stage 1 and the potential tournament favorites
FlyQuest is one of just two teams that won all their matches in the first stage of the Budapest Major. They’ve overcome a losing streak that began in Austin, and now have a strong opportunity to advance even further in the competition.
NAVI was expected to reach Stage 3 as a strong contender for the Major championship. Unfortunately, their performance in the latter half of 2025 has caused them to drop in the regional rankings.
It’s fascinating to observe NAVI’s current form as they enter this tournament. Their first match against FlyQuest in Stage 2 of the Major will be a good early challenge for Natus Vincere.
The second set of matches on the first day of Stage 2 will all be single-elimination games. Following these, four teams will compete in matches that determine whether they advance directly to Stage 3. Another four teams will play to avoid elimination from the tournament.
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2025-11-29 13:42