StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 – Playoff Pick’em: Predictions & Opinions

StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is entering its decisive phase — the playoffs, along with the final stage of the Pick’Em Challenge. Ahead lie the most important matches of the tournament, where every team is fighting for a chance to reach the grand final and claim the championship title. After three difficult stages filled with surprises, upsets, and failed predictions, now is the perfect time to carefully assess each team’s chances and make your final choices. This article will help you better understand the Pick’Em rules for the playoffs, review expert predictions, and prepare for the last challenge on your way to earning the Diamond Coin.

What Is the Pick’Em Challenge at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 and How Does It Work?

The Pick'Em Challenge at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is an interactive game that allows you to test your Counter-Strike 2 knowledge by predicting match results throughout the entire tournament. To participate, you need a Viewer Pass, which unlocks access to all tasks.

Before each stage — Challengers, Legends, and Champions — participants select the teams they believe will advance or get eliminated. Correct predictions earn points that increase your Pick’Em Coin level — from Bronze to Diamond. Completing all tasks can also reward you with in-game items, making the Major experience even more exciting.

Pick’em Rules and Strategy for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Playoff

After the first three stages — Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 — the Pick’Em Challenge at this CS2 Major has become a real trial for most players. Each stage delivered unexpected results, causing many participants to miss the required five correct predictions. Favorites were eliminated too early, underdogs created upsets, and expectations were shattered. Now, with only one stage left, the entire community’s attention turns to the Pick’Em Playoff.

The playoff Pick’Em is simpler than the earlier stages. The player must fill out the tournament bracket by predicting the winners of the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. There is no 3–0 or 0–3 selection anymore — only your bracket predictions matter. The most important factor is selecting the correct champion: even if other match predictions are off, choosing the tournament winner usually guarantees enough points to level up your Pick’Em coin.

All playoff predictions must be submitted before the first quarterfinal begins — Pick’Em locks as soon as the stage starts. That’s why it’s crucial to evaluate current team form and potential matchups. After the chaos of Stages 1–3, it’s now the Pick’Em Playoff that will determine whether a player can secure the coveted Gold or even Diamond Coin.

EGamersWorld Prediction for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Playoffs

The current playoff matchups are: Spirit vs Falcons, Vitality vs The MongolZ, FURIA vs NAVI, and MOUZ vs FaZe. Judging by the teams’ form, it’s reasonable to expect Spirit, Vitality, FURIA, and MOUZ to advance. They have shown more stability, fewer mistakes, and overall better performance compared to their opponents.

These four teams are also the likely semifinalists. As for the final — according to EGamersWorld — the most probable matchup is Vitality vs FURIA. Both teams are incredibly strong, but FURIA currently looks better. They recently defeated Vitality 3–0 at IEM Chengdu 2025, demonstrating confidence and readiness to fight for the title.

Their simple prediction: FURIA may become the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 champion.

Pick’em Predictions From Analysts and Commentators

Below is an overview of playoff predictions from experienced analysts and commentators. Remember: even the best can make mistakes in their Pick’Em selections — usually not due to poor judgment, but because of unexpected explosive performances that can break any prediction.

Throughout the Major, we have followed their Pick’Em choices, analyzed them, and compared them with our own. Now we present the final picks from the most well-known analysts and commentators.

James Banks’ Playoff Pick’Em

Source: James Banks YouTube

James Banks predicts that Falcons, Vitality, FURIA, and MOUZ will win their quarterfinals, as these teams look the strongest in their respective matchups. He expects them to reach the semifinals due to their stable performance and good form.

In the final, Banks predicts Vitality vs FURIA. He believes FURIA are currently in better shape and have higher chances of winning the decisive match.

His champion pick: FURIA.

Austin’s Playoff Pick’Em

Source: austincs YouTube

Austin also predicts that the semifinalists will be Falcons, Vitality, FURIA, and MOUZ, noting that these four teams look more convincing than their opponents.

However, his predicted final is Falcons vs FURIA. Despite Falcons’ strength, he still chooses FURIA as the eventual champion of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.

Thooorin’s Playoff Pick’Em

Source: Thooorin YouTube

Thooorin likewise predicts that Falcons, Vitality, FURIA, and MOUZ will advance to the semifinals. In his view, these teams are the strongest contenders with the best chances to move forward.

He expects a Vitality vs FURIA final. While he considers both teams highly capable, Thooorin gives the edge to Vitality, believing they can play more consistently in the grand final and defeat FURIA.

STYKO’s Playoff Pick’Em

Source: STYKO YouTube

STYKO does not introduce any unexpected picks — he also predicts Falcons, Vitality, FURIA, and MOUZ to win in the quarterfinals, as they appear strongest in their matchups.

His predicted final is Falcons vs FURIA, with FURIA as his champion pick, based on their current form and confidence.

Mauisnake’s Playoff Pick’Em

Source: Mauisnake YouTube

Mauisnake also avoids risky choices. He believes Falcons, Vitality, FURIA, and MOUZ will win their quarterfinals thanks to their strong form.

His predicted final is Vitality vs FURIA, with FURIA as the champions. He argues that the Brazilians are playing more convincingly at the moment and are in a great position to take the trophy at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.

CS2 StarLadder Budapest Major Pick’Em: Medal Progress

Ahead lies the final and most important stage of the Pick’Em Challenge at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. The three previous stages have already tested players’ prediction skills to the limit. If you managed to secure at least five correct picks in each of them, the Playoff Stage now offers a unique opportunity — correctly predict the playoff bracket and earn the Diamond Coin.

There is no 3–0 or 0–3 selection anymore. Everything comes down to a simple but highly impactful task: predict the winners of the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the grand final. Competition reaches its peak here, as only the strongest teams advance to the playoffs — and each match can completely turn the Pick’Em standings upside down.

To maintain your chance at the Diamond Coin, it’s crucial to make informed choices. Evaluate team form after the first three stages, consider their map pools, individual performances, and consistency against top opponents. A well-researched analysis can be the key factor in your success.

By correctly filling out the Playoff Stage bracket, you can complete the Pick’Em Challenge and earn the most prestigious reward — the Diamond Coin of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.