The dust has settled on Stage 1, and now the CS2 StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 enters its most crucial phase. Stage 2 brings together 16 teams—a mix of established squads who bypassed Stage 1 entirely, and battle-tested survivors from the opening round.
With only eight spots available for the Stage 3, the competition is intensifying with every match. Let’s take a look at the teams heading straight to Stage 2 thanks to their consistency across the season.
Aurora – The most dangerous squad outside the Stage 3
The transition from CS:GO to CS2 did wonders for the Turkish side. The aggressive nature of the game perfectly fitted their own strengths. And across 2025 the team has gone from strength to strenght. Their tactics sometimes betray them, but the one-two punch of İsmailсan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş and Ali “Wicadia” Haydar Yalçın is nearly unstoppable. Expect them to dust off Stage 2 and start charting their journey into the MVM dome.
NaVi – Not the threat they once were
NaVi’s 2025 has perfectly proven why 2024 was an unimaginable level of success. Without a true superstar, and with far too little firepower, this should be the level the team should play at. At Stage 2, they should be favored to make it through 3-0. But that depends on Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov and Mihai “iM” Ivan starting the stage off strong. Otherwise NaVi will become another team that gets upset at a Major.
Discussing StarLadder Major Budapest 2025, it’s impossible to ignore Natus Vincere’s long-standing alliance with GG.BET — a partnership that has become a benchmark for the industry. This collaboration goes far beyond a logo on a jersey: from viral Match of LeGGends showmatches and GG.Gathering fan events to exclusive behind-the-scenes content that brings players’ personalities to life. While NAVI focus on the fight in Stage 2, GG.BET continues to drive fan engagement, proving that a top-tier club is built on both server results and strong media presence.
MIBR – The International gamble might just work
Ever since Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato and co. took over as the dominant Brazilian team over half a decade ago, MIBR has struggled to find their identity. With the top talents locked up at Furia, MIBR has instead churned through players to find their next stars. But suprisingly even that discovery, in the form of insani, was unable to elevate the team’s standing. So now, following the International path set by Furia, MIBR has recruited G2 Ares’ Klimentii “kl1m” Krivosheev alongside former Virtus.Pro player Aleksei “Qikert” Golubev.
Compared to the Danil “molodoy” Golubenko, Mareks “YEKINDAR” Gaļinskis signings from Furia, MIBR’s response is underwhelming at best. But kl1m is still a prospect to watch for the future. The duo of him and Felipe “insani” Yuji should eventually drag MIBR out of the tier 2, if they can finally get their tactical system together. Right now though, the team has a long way to go before they become competitive at the international stage.
Astralis – Can HooXi be the solution?
The Danish legends may no longer be the dynasty they once were, but writing them off entirely would also be a mistake. Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen has been making solid progress with this team, but the Emil “Magisk” Reif move has been rather perplexing. Still, the team has solid fundamentals and a good set of stars to make it through this stage.
Related—StarLadder Budapest Major 2025: Power Rankings
3DMAX – Tactically Deadly
Perhaps the most threatening team in the field, 3DMAX are a curious case. The team embodies the same spirit that first brought Heretics/DBL Poneyy to the fore in 2020, solid tactics that elevate role players. Across 2025, the team has been ready to take a favorite down the moment they slip up. But that’s the key part, 3DMAX’s success depends on their opponents to slip up too.
If they face a team with their own systems drilled in, the lack of star power might spell their doom. But expect them to pass through this stage with Dust 2 and Inferno as their home maps.
Passion UA – The Kvem-Grim duo is highly potent
Passion UA’s North American pivot was something nobody saw coming. But giving the former complexity squad a cracked rifling prospect in Vladyslav “Kvem” Korol has greatly improved them. Ioannis ‘Johnny’ “JT” Theodosiou tactical system is still excellent and now with some more star power, the IGL can perhaps punch above the team’s weight. That puts Passion UA squarely in the middle of the pack alongside teams like NIP and fnatic.
Liquid – Need to find their footing
North America’s premier organization enters Budapest desperate to make a mark. The fact that they even made the major was a miracle come true. And with Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski back in the roster, the team has a lot more options for aggressive rifling. But Liquid still remains a team that struggles to close matches out and is always on the verge of being upset. Every NA fan will hope for their success, but up against the warmed up Stage 1 squads, Liquid will have to be extra careful.
