Visualized: Every team at StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 2 — A Full Roster Breakdown

Visualized: Every team at StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 2 — A Full Roster Breakdown

StarLadder has released a fresh set of infographics covering the 16 teams now competing in Stage 2 of the 2025 Budapest Major. The visuals include a key stat, a fun fact, and a quote for each squad — giving fans a quick but informative glance at who remains in contention. 

With the arrival of eight more teams (in addition to the eight that advanced from Stage 1), the Major’s landscape becomes more crowded and unpredictable — making Stage 2 a critical juncture for every organization's hopes. 

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What’s Stage 2 — And Why It Matters

To recap the format: the Budapest Major 2025 features 32 invited teams, divided into groups and passing through three Swiss-system stages (Stage 1 → Stage 2 → Stage 3) before a final single-elimination playoff. 

• Stage 1 began with 16 teams — the winners of the recent Regional Qualifiers and assorted invited squads. The top 8 advanced.

• Stage 2 now brings together:

  1. The 8 teams that survived Stage 1,

  2. 8 directly-invited teams based on their regional standings (the so-called VRS invites).

From here, another cut will whittle the field down to 8 for Stage 3, and eventually to the playoff bracket. 

Thus Stage 2 is more than just another round — it’s a crossroads. Teams that arrive refreshed from automatic invites will clash with battle-hardened survivors from Stage 1. For many, this will define their entire Major run.

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Who’s in Stage 2 — Full List of 16 Teams

According to the official Stage 2 list published by HLTV and tournament organizers, these are the teams currently fighting it out (in no particular order):

• Aurora Gaming

• Team Liquid

• Natus Vincere (Na'Vi)

• Astralis

• 3DMAX

• B8

• FaZe Clan

• PARIVISION

• fnatic

• FlyQuest

• M80

• Passion UA

• Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP)

• Imperial Esports

• TyLoo

• MIBR

This mix combines European titans, rising underdogs, and regional invitees — making Stage 2 a melting pot of styles, strategies, and stakes. 

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What the Visualized Info Offers — More Than Just Names

The series of infographics offers more than a roster — it gives fans and analysts bite-sized context:

• A stat: often a telling metric from recent play or historical strength, designed to highlight what each team brings to the table.

• A quote: from a player or representative — sometimes revealing mindset, expectations, or team morale.

• A fun fact or unique identifier: something that helps distinguish the team — history, recent achievements, standout players.

This approach lets viewers quickly digest key info without digging deep into full match histories. It’s especially helpful given how fast and unpredictable early Major stages can be.

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Spotlight: Notable Inclusions & What to Watch

⭐ Invited heavy-hitters returning for Stage 2

• Na’Vi, Astralis, Liquid, and Aurora — all legacy or high-tier European organizations bringing deep map pools, Major experience, and fan expectations. Their presence raises the competitive bar for Stage 2 and puts pressure on underdog and survivor squads alike.

• MIBR and TyLoo — representing non-European regions (Americas and Asia respectively), continuing the global particle of the Major and underscoring CS2’s wide-reaching competitive landscape.

🔥 Survivors to watch

• B8 — emerging from Stage 1, a name to watch if their Stage 1 form holds. Their ability to adapt under pressure will be critical.

• PARIVISION — recently clinched the final Stage 2 berth after a dramatic decider; carries momentum and determination. 

• fnatic, NiP, FlyQuest, Imperial — all former contenders with pedigree; their performance in Stage 2 will show whether current roster tweaks and preparation paid off.

Overall — Stage 2 will be a real test: consistency vs. spark, experience vs. hunger, preparation vs. adaptation.

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The Bigger Picture — Why These Visuals Matter

1. Clarity & Transparency — In a major tournament with many moving parts, 16-team rosters, and a Swiss system, visual guides help fans and journalists track who remains relevant.

2. Storytelling & Hype — Infographics build narratives: “Can B8 continue their surprise run?” “Will Na’Vi silence doubters?” “Is MIBR the sleeper team from Americas?” — these visuals feed that storytelling.

3. Accessibility for New Fans — Not everyone follows every match. A quick stat + fact + quote lowers the barrier for casual watchers to engage meaningfully.

4. Archival Value — As the tournament progresses, these graphics become reference points: who was there, under what context — useful for retrospectives or analyses.

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Final Thoughts

The release of the “Visualized: Every team at StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 2” feature is more than just a media drop — it’s a strategic snapshot of the Major: who’s in, who’s hungry, and what’s at stake. With a diverse roster of 16 teams — from long-time powerhouses to gritty underdogs and regional outsiders — Stage 2 is shaping up to be a high-stakes crucible where momentum, preparation, and resilience will decide who makes the cut for Stage 3 and, ultimately, the playoffs.

For fans, casters, and analysts — this list is your go-to cheat-sheet. For the teams — it’s a reality check: no matter background or pedigree, once you’re in Stage 2, it’s all about performance, now.