With Stage 2 now wrapped up, the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is shifting into high gear as the final Swiss stage prepares to kick off. Sixteen teams are set for Stage 3, including eight rosters that advanced from the previous phase and eight more that earned their direct seeding via VRS. The stakes only get higher from here, as each squad now edges closer to the playoffs and a shot at the Major’s massive 1.25 million dollar prize pool.
A High Stakes Swiss Stage Begins
The opening round of Stage 3 brings several blockbuster encounters. FURIA will meet Natus Vincere in their first showdown since that dramatic reverse sweep in the Thunderpick World Championship grand final. Fans will also be watching closely as Vitality face FaZe in a rematch of their ESL Pro League Season 22 semi-final, this time with jcobbb stepping in for rain.
Other key pairings include Falcons vs B8, MOUZ taking on PARIVISION and Team Spirit battling Liquid. Every match in this round is a best-of-one, making the margin for error razor thin.
Confirmed Opening Matchups
Below is the full schedule for the opening best-of-one matches, converted to more globally familiar timezones for convenience.
4 December 2025
MOUZ vs PARIVISION
3 PM CET, 2 PM GMT, 9 AM ET
Imperial vs The MongolZ
3 PM CET, 2 PM GMT, 9 AM ET
Spirit vs Liquid
4 PM CET, 3 PM GMT, 10 AM ET
Passion UA vs G2
4 PM CET, 3 PM GMT, 10 AM ET
Vitality vs FaZe
5 PM CET, 4 PM GMT, 11 AM ET
paiN vs 3DMAX
5 PM CET, 4 PM GMT, 11 AM ET
FURIA vs Natus Vincere
6 PM CET, 5 PM GMT, 12 PM ET
B8 vs Falcons
6 PM CET, 5 PM GMT, 12 PM ET
The opening matchups for Stage 3 are ready!
See you on Thursday 🫡 pic.twitter.com/NIZEC3czty
— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) December 2, 2025
How Stage 3 Works
The Budapest Major features a four-part structure. The first three stages use the Swiss format, where teams must secure three wins to advance. The final stage moves into a single elimination playoff bracket capped by a best-of-five grand final. Only eight teams will survive Stage 3, putting added pressure on every opening round decision.
StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 runs from 24 November to 14 December in Hungary, bringing together 32 international rosters battling for glory and their share of the prize pool.