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A Major That Finally Feels Major

The upcoming StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is set to break new ground for Counter-Strike esports. For the first time ever, a Major will crown its champion through a best-of-five Grand Final, marking a major shift in how the biggest event in the scene decides its winner.

The announcement, made by StarLadder on November 4, has been met with widespread excitement from players, analysts, and fans alike. Many are calling it the change that “finally makes a Major feel like a Major.”

Setting a New Standard

The decision comes after years of requests from the community for Valve to align Majors with other top-tier tournaments hosted by organisers such as ESL, BLAST, and FISSURE, which have long featured best-of-five finales.

With the Budapest Major leading the way, Valve has confirmed that all future Majors will now feature best-of-five Grand Finals, replacing the long-standing best-of-three format.

This move mirrors the structure used at recent events like the Thunderpick World Championship 2025, where FURIA completed a stunning reverse sweep over NAVI in a five-map thriller, a level of intensity fans are hoping to see repeated on the biggest stage.

Inside the Budapest Major

The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 will kick off on November 24, featuring 32 teams battling through multiple Swiss stages before the playoffs begin at the MVM Dome from December 11–14.

The organisers have revealed a sneak peek at the setup for the 20,000-seat arena, promising an immersive 360-degree stage that ensures every fan in attendance gets a full view of the action. It’s designed to be a true spectacle, matching the scale and prestige of the event.

All three stages of the Major will feature live crowds, with tickets available now on the official StarLadder website.

Fans and Pros Celebrate the Change

The community reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. From pro players like Jacob “Pimp” Winneche to esports fans across Twitter and HLTV, the sentiment has been clear: this is a massive win for competitive Counter-Strike.

“Finally a Major that feels Major,” wrote one user, echoing hundreds of similar comments online.

Brazilian fans were especially quick to point out that Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, now playing under FURIA, has an incredible 10–1 record in best-of-five finals, making him a clear fan favourite to thrive under the new system.

Even esports brands and teams chimed in with celebration posts, from Geekay Esports joking “only took over a decade” to Strafe Esports hyping it up as “a real grand final.”

What About Best-of-Ones?

While the switch to a best-of-five Grand Final has been welcomed, discussions continue around another controversial topic: best-of-one (BO1) matches in the group stages.

Despite calls for change, Valve confirmed that the early Swiss stages of the Major will remain BO1 for now. Some fans argue the format is too random, especially under CS2’s faster MR12 round structure, while others believe it adds unpredictability and gives underdogs a fighting chance.

For now, it seems the BO5 upgrade will be the headline change, but the debate around the rest of the format is far from over.

A Defining Moment for Counter-Strike Esports

With Budapest hosting the season’s final Major and the first-ever best-of-five Grand Final, this tournament is shaping up to be one for the history books.

Between the upgraded format, the grand 360-degree stage, and the live crowd for every stage, StarLadder’s latest Major looks set to capture the spirit of what fans have been asking for: a world-class, unforgettable Counter-Strike experience.