StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 – Stage 1 Preview

In just a few days, the first stage of the most anticipated and prestigious tournament of the fall — the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 — will begin. Sixteen teams will compete in Stage 1, but only eight will advance to Stage 2.

The entire StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 will run from November 24 to December 14, featuring 32 teams from around the world battling for $500,000 and the title of champion. The total prize pool of the event is $1,250,000. In this article, we break down the opening matchups of Stage 1 and the teams’ chances of advancing.

Format, Dates, and Teams at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 – Stage 1

Stage 1 will feature 16 teams playing in a Swiss system from November 24–27, 2025. Eight teams will move on to Stage 2, while the remaining eight will be eliminated.

Rounds 2 to 5 will use the Buchholz system, taking into account the teams’ initial seeding. Elimination and advancement matches will be played in a Bo3 format, while all other matches will be Bo1.

Below is the list of opening matchups in Stage 1 along with the teams’ chances:

Legacy vs FlyQuest

Legacy enter this matchup as the clear favorites. Since the opening round is played in a Bo1 format, the Brazilian squad should not face major problems. Let’s also recall that at the previous Major, Legacy won a Bo1 against Vitality — a team that later went on to win the championship. Additionally, Legacy recently secured a 2nd-place finish at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025, while FlyQuest ended that event in 9th–11th place.

FaZe Clan vs Lynn Vision

The match between FaZe Clan and Lynn Vision also looks unlikely to deliver an upset. Despite FaZe not being in their best form, they still appear significantly stronger than Lynn Vision on paper.

B8 vs M80

An interesting matchup for the first round. B8 recently finished 5th–8th at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025, which highlights their solid level as a team. M80 took 2nd place at Frag Ultra Mega Jersey 2025, a tier-2 event. Based on recent results and form, the slight advantage goes to B8, as they tend to play aggressively in key moments — and often successfully.

GamerLegion vs Fluxo

GamerLegion have been looking for stability after a rough period, and it seems they’re starting to find it. They placed 4th at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 and had enough time afterward to rest and prepare. Fluxo, meanwhile, won Circuit X Retake São Paulo 2025 — but the level of opposition was far below what they will face in Budapest. GamerLegion should be able to take this win.

fnatic vs RED Canids

Both teams have shown average results and less-than-ideal form. fnatic placed 12th–14th at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025, while RED Canids took 9th–12th at Circuit X Retake São Paulo 2025 — an event with considerably weaker opponents. Taking into account fnatic’s experience on the big stage, they should hold a psychological advantage and are expected to win this match.

PARIVISION vs The Huns

For both teams, this will be their Major debut. However, PARIVISION have more experience against stronger opposition. They enter as the clear favorites, though The Huns still have the potential to cause an early upset at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.

NiP vs NRG

NiP are the clear favorites here. Although NRG won Frag Ultra Mega Jersey 2025, they lack practice against tier-1 opponents. NiP, on the other hand, secured 2nd place at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025, narrowly losing the final to NAVI — a strong indicator of their current form.

Imperial Esports vs Rare Atom

Two teams from different regions but with similar results. Rare Atom have mainly competed in tier-2 tournaments and regional qualifiers this season. Imperial Esports, however, played at stronger events such as Thunderpick World Championship 2025, where they finished 7th–8th. Given this, Imperial are expected to come out on top.

Favorites, Underdogs, and Dark Horses at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 – Stage 1

After reviewing the matchups, the top favorites to advance appear to be Legacy, FaZe Clan, B8, and GamerLegion — all of whom have shown the most stable form and strong recent performances. These teams already look ready to fight deep into the tournament.

Potential dark horses include NiP, M80, and FlyQuest. Their form has not always been consistent, but each has the talent to unexpectedly break into Stage 2.

As for the underdogs, The Huns, Rare Atom, RED Canids, and Lynn Vision Gaming are still a step behind in terms of level, but they may steal a map or cause an upset.

Where to Watch StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 – Stage 1

You can follow the Stage 1 broadcasts on StarLadder’s official YouTube and Twitch channels. You can also stay updated with news and match schedules on our website:

In just a few days, we will dive into the intense and thrilling action of the most anticipated tournament of the season!