Top squads face off at CS2 Winter Major 2025 in Budapest with a $1.25-million prize pool

From 1–14 December 2025, the CS2 Winter Major Championship lands in Budapest, Hungary, setting the stage for one of the year’s most electrifying esports showdowns. Thirty-two of the world’s best sides are gearing up to battle for prestige, bragging rights and a hefty purse of US$1,250,000. Every round, every clutch and every call will matter—because in a field this stacked, there’s zero room for error.

The opening phase features a round-robin group stage. Each team plays eight matches, but only the top eight squads survive to reach the knockout bracket. It’s a ruthless test where consistency is everything. One bad map could shove a contender out of the spotlight, while a flawless run could propel a dark horse into esports history.

The ultimate knockout stage

The top eight teams then clash in a single-elimination bracket. From the quarter-finals to the semi-finals, every match is a best-of-three, but the grand final cranks the pressure even higher with a best-of-five showdown. It’s where reputations are forged and legends are written in the toughest format imaginable.

New faces chasing glory

This Major isn’t just for Counter-Strike heavyweights. Open and closed qualifiers, along with wild-card spots, give rising squads a shot at the world’s best. For fans, it’s a chance to watch fresh talent topple the favourites and craft stories that’ll be retold for years.

Big prize, bigger stakes

With a pot of US$1.25 million (about CAD 1.74 million), the prize pool adds serious weight to every map. But this tournament is about more than cash—it’s about momentum, pride and the opportunity to make history in front of a global audience. Whether you’re in the arena or tuning in online, you’ll get more than matches; you’ll experience a festival atmosphere celebrating CS2 at its peak.

Betting excitement and expert insights

For those keen to lay a wager on CS2, the Winter Major dishes up endless possibilities. Beyond picking outright winners, you’ll find lines on map selections, round totals and individual stat props. Analysts are already dropping CS2 match predictions, and fans are tracking CS2 odds as the event approaches. With top-tier names like NAVI, G2 and Vitality in the mix, every match promises drama—and the chance for jaw-dropping upsets.