Esports production company and tournament organiser StarLadder has announced that it will host the second CS2 major of 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. The Major will take place between November 24 and December 14, in the MTK Sportpark and the MVM Dome.
This is the first time a Counter-Strike Major is coming to Hungary, the first time StarLadder is hosting a Major since Indian esports brand NODWIN acquired it in early 2025, and the second time the company is hosting a Major. The last StarLadder Major was in 2019 in Berlin, Germany.
Image credit: StarLadder
StarLadder emphasised the MVM Dome, the largest indoor multi-purpose arena in Hungary, as the star of the Major, with a capacity of around 20,000 people for sporting events. According to the company, the event will provide a “stadium-scale experience”, with “record-breaking LED setups, immersive lighting and arena-wide special effects”. The event will also take place during the weeks ahead of Christmas, when almost a million people visit the Hungarian capital for its Christmas markets.
Hosting a Major during that time can bring not only engaging activations and Christmas-themed settings, but also the ability to leverage the large influx of people visiting the Major. If StarLadder manages to sell out the MVM Dome for the Major, it will be one of the largest audiences for a Counter-Strike tournament, together with the likes of BLAST.tv Paris Major (Accor Arena, 20,300 capacity).
The Major will happen shortly after another Budapest LAN event organised by StarLadder, called the StarSeries Fall 2025. The event, scheduled between September 13th and 21st, will have a $500,000 prize pool and include high-profile teams. In the past, Hungary was home to a sizable CS:GO tournament during the V4 Future Sports Festival, which saw the likes of FaZe Clan, Virtus.pro, MIBR, Ninjas in Pyjamas and Gambit Esports compete between 2018 and 2021.
Roman Romantsov, CEO of StarLadder, said:
“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. We invite every Counter-Strike fan to be part of this iconic moment with us.”
StarLadder has already started selling tickets for the event through its official website.