CS2 Majors to feature long-requested grand final format, starting with Budapest Major

The upcoming StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 will usher in a new era for Counter-Strike esports, as it becomes the first-ever CS2 Major to feature a best-of-five grand final.

Tournament organizer StarLadder announced the change, with Counter-Strike’s official X (formerly Twitter) channel confirming the long-requested development: “Let’s end the season with a bang. Counter-Strike 2 Majors now feature best of 5 Grand Finals, beginning with the, StarLadder Budapest Major.”

The adjustment, effective immediately, means all future CS2 Majors will now crown their champions through a Bo5 series. This brings Valve’s marquee event in line with other top-tier tournaments from organizers such as ESL, BLAST, PGL, and FISSURE.

CS2 fans celebrate long-awaited Major format upgrade

For years, the CS community has urged Valve to expand the Major’s grand final format, arguing that a Bo3 doesn’t give justice to the game’s biggest stage. While most premier events had already transitioned to Bo5s, Majors remained the exception, a surprising holdout for a tournament considered the pinnacle of Counter-Strike competition.

The transition to MR12 (max rounds 12 per half) in CS2 also made Bo5s more manageable, reducing overall match durations. Many tournament organizers quickly adapted, leaving the Major as the only event still relying on shorter finals, until now.

The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive, praising the decision as a long-overdue modernization of the Major structure.

Alongside the format change, StarLadder shared new details about the Budapest Major playoffs, set to take place at the MVM Dome from Dec. 11 to 14. The 20,000-seat arena will feature a 360-degree stage design, offering spectators a panoramic view of the action and an atmosphere worthy of CS2’s biggest event of the year.

Bo1s remain in the Swiss stage

While many fans celebrated the Bo5 grand final announcement, some are still calling for changes to the format, particularly the best-of-one matches in the Swiss stage.

Currently, the Major kicks off with three Swiss stages, where non-elimination and non-qualification matches are played as Bo1s, a structure often criticized for its unpredictability. The issue made waves when Team Vitality absorbed a shocking loss to Legacy at the Austin Major, which ended their 30-match win streak.

Many CS fans and pundits continue to advocate for a full Bo3 Swiss format, arguing that it better reflects team consistency.

Still, the shift to the Bo5 grand final marks a monumental step forward for Valve and the Counter-Strike esports scene, ensuring that Major champions are now decided in the most competitive format possible.