CS2: Valve Announces First BO5 Major Grand Final in Budapest
On the eve of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, it has become evident that this tournament will not just mark the fourth Major of the Counter-Strike 2 era. Valve revealed that the Budapest event will feature the first-ever Major grand final played in a best-of-five (BO5) format, a change fans and analysts have anticipated for years.
Shift from BO3 to BO5
Until now, all Valve Majors concluded with best-of-three (BO3) finals, despite the broader esports scene embracing BO5 for climactic matches. According to Valve, this adjustment reflects the evolving standards in competitive Counter-Strike and the community’s readiness for longer, more strategic series.
Strong Audience Numbers for BO5 Events
Audience engagement data further supports the move. IEM Cologne 2024, traditionally a BO5 event but not a Major, reached a peak of 1,051,810 concurrent viewers during its final match—exceeding one million. Similarly, IEM Katowice 2025 recorded 1.29 million peak viewers for the BO5 showdown between Team Vitality and Team Spirit, another non-Major event with remarkable viewership.
When compared with historical Major performance—1.53 million viewers for the last CS:GO Major in Paris (2023) and 1.85 million for the first CS2 Major in Copenhagen—it becomes clear that longer series do not diminish viewership. In fact, high-stakes matches between top-tier teams draw even greater numbers.
Context and Timing
The Budapest 2025 Major also coincides with Counter-Strike 2’s transition to the MR12 format, further aligning structural updates in competitive play with fan expectations.
“This event is set to redefine how Counter-Strike Majors are experienced,” one analyst commented, highlighting the community’s excitement about the BO5 introduction.
Author’s Summary
The Budapest 2025 Major marks a turning point for Counter-Strike, with the first ever BO5 grand final bringing longer, more intense competition and aligning with CS2’s evolving structure.
More News
- Dr Peculiar | Holistic Wellness Coach, Counsellor, and Gut Health Advocate
- Why I’m Not Boarding That Flight to Sharjah Book Fair — A Reflection on Kerala’s Literary Pilgrimage
- IND vs SA 1st ODI Live Streaming: When And Where To Watch India vs South Africa 1st ODI
- Virat Kohli scripts history in IND vs SA
- 18 Peculiar Phrases from Around the World 🌎 — Explore Global Expressions