Top 15 Photos From the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025: Key Moments, Player Quotes & Storylines

The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 — the final and largest Counter-Strike 2 Major of the year — has delivered unforgettable storylines, shock upsets, and historic performances. HLTV’s “Best photos of StarLadder Budapest Major so far” captures these iconic moments, and this ranking dives deeper with added context, related news, and official player quotes.

This 32-team CS2 Major runs from November 24 to December 14, featuring all Swiss stages in front of a live audience at MTK Sportpark and a BO5 playoff weekend inside the MVM Dome.

#15 — Opening Arena Shots: Hungary Welcomes the CS2 World

The tournament opens with broad arena shots showcasing the electric Hungarian crowd. Budapest has quickly established itself as a top-tier esports destination.

Stage 1 — Early Surprises & Heavyweight Stumbles

#14 — FaZe Shocked by NRG

One of the first headlines of the Major: FaZe losing to NRG, a result that forced karrigan’s squad into survival mode.

karrigan on FaZe’s resilience:

“I want the mental fortitude that FaZe is known for to be the DNA of the team.”

#13 — Legacy & GamerLegion Eliminated

Two solid teams exit far earlier than expected, setting a tone of unpredictability for the entire event.

#12 — Lynn Vision Collapse After Marathon Series

Coming off a 147-round BO5 vs Rare Atom, Lynn Vision arrived drained and went 0-3.

Coach GUM:

“We were just lacking some thinking… following instinct, not the brain.”

Stage 2 — Underdogs Rise, Giants Fall

#11 — Aurora’s Unexpected Exit

A promising dark-horse roster is knocked out early — one of the biggest surprises of Stage 2.

#10 — Liquid’s Nightmare Run

Liquid suffered a brutal 0-3: losses to B8, PARIVISION, and Passion UA spelled a catastrophic campaign.

#9 — PARIVISION’s Breakthrough Run

From last-chance qualifiers to Major contenders, PARIVISION shocked Aurora, NIP, and Liquid.

BELCHONOKK revealed the secret:

“dastan puts more pressure on us than the Major.”

#8 — NAVI & w0nderful’s Redemption Arc

NAVI went 3–0 in Stage 2. Their AWPer w0nderful posted standout ratings after intensive mental-performance work.

Coach B1ad3:

“With this performance, I think you can win tournaments.”

Stage 3 — Legends Arrive, Emotions Peak

#7 — torzsi’s Home Crowd Magic

Hungary’s own torzsi becomes a fan favorite in Budapest — every round win ignites the arena.

#6 — FURIA’s Push & FalleN’s Last Dance?

FURIA stormed into playoffs. FalleN — chasing his first Major crown since 2016 — is one of the tournament’s biggest storylines.

#5 — Vitality Hunt a Fourth Major

Vitality entered the playoffs after five straight Major top-8 finishes.

apEX:

“It will be nice to win a fourth one — and back-to-back.”

#4 — donk & Team Spirit Dominate

donk continues to redefine CS2 with another monstrous Major (1.73 rating).

He told HLTV:

“I’m more mature now — thinking about winning as a team, not as a star.”

#3 — Falcons vs G2: m0NESY Transcends

A dramatic 2–2 decider: m0NESY carries Falcons, eliminating his former teammate NiKo’s G2.

NiKo after the match:

“One of the hardest matches to face in my career.”

#2 — FaZe Fight From Disaster to Playoffs

From early-stage panic to earning their fifth straight Major playoff, FaZe delivered one of the event’s strongest redemption arcs.

#1 — The Playoff Bracket Reveal: A Historic Top 8

The reveal delivered one of the most stacked playoff lineups in years:

• Spirit vs Falcons — donk vs NiKo

• Vitality vs The MongolZ — Austin Major rematch

• MOUZ vs FaZe — torzsi’s home-crowd dream

• FURIA vs NAVI — world #1 vs resurgent NAVI

This is the moment where every storyline — donk, FalleN, NiKo, w0nderful, torzsi, karrigan — converges.