FaZe, Legacy, and more kick off CS2 Budapest Major: Stage 1 details and results

FaZe Clan carries an impressive legacy in Counter-Strike, but the team has fallen pretty low to start a Major from Stage 1. Legacy players are building up their reputation in CS2 esports, and their impact is already meaningful.

These two teams are generally considered the biggest favorites in Stage 1 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. Still, they jump into the pool of ambitious underdogs — such opponents know how to bite big names, regardless of their previous trophies.

Stage 1 may not feature the biggest teams of the current esports scene, but this tournament phase is fun to watch. It showcases different approaches to the game and has a good potential for wow moments and historic breakthroughs.

Everything from the initial Swiss System stage at CS2 StarLadder Major 2025 in Budapest is here. Watch the stream, check out the schedule, and follow the daily results!

The official StarLadder channels on Twitch and YouTube broadcast Stage 1 matches from the Budapest Major 2025. You can watch the main stream above. The info on Stream B is in the schedule and results sections.

Stage 1 goes on for four days, from Nov. 24 to Nov. 27. Each tournament day is packed with CS2 esports matches, and the competition intensifies in the advancement and elimination rounds.

The daily schedule at the Budapest Major is based on the previous results. Here are the starting matchups for Nov. 24.

Three wins are needed for the teams at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 to make it through the Swiss System stages. In this section, you'll find the brackets and the detailed info on matchups in five rounds of Stage 1.

The first round features best-of-one (Bo1) matches. It's a chance for the Stage 1 teams to earn the important initial advantage. Round 1 from the Budapest Major Stage 1 is on Stream A and Stream B.

After Round 1, the teams are divided into groups with the 1:0 and 0:1 scores. Some will go to the advancement section, while others will fall to the edge of elimination. 

It's time for the two strongest teams to make it to Stage 2 at the CS2 Budapest Major. Two teams are out with three losses. All advancement and elimination matches are under the best-of-three (Bo3) format.

The competition becomes really intense in Round 4. No 2:1 team wants to take it to the finals chance matches in Budapest Major Stage 1. However, the 1:2 teams really hope to survive for Round 5.

Three matches complete Stage 1 at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. They are all about advancement to the next phase or packing home.

CS2 tournaments of this level are the most exciting esports events of the yearly schedule. Many people look forward specifically to Stage 3 and Playoffs, as the top-most teams are there, battling for the trophy. Stage 1 matches are somewhat overlooked, while they are still amazing.

There is a certain thrill of watching CS2 matches of high level with no teams you fully support as a fan. It’s a way to see the game in its competitive beauty, regardless of who pulls off comebacks, 4Ks, knife kills, and other wow moments.

Stage 1 of StarLadder Budapest Major treats us to exactly such a show. There still is the layer of extra expectations — if you placed your Pick’Em predictions. But, it makes the experience more enjoyable without too harsh emotions, such as when your team loses in the Major semifinal.

CS2 teams in Stage 1 certainly have their fans, but fewer than Vitality or FURIA. In addition to FaZe and Legacy, we can name a few that are interesting to follow. B8, GamerLegion, Ninjas in Pyjamas, FlyQuest, and Fnatic are good examples.

The best contender teams from the Budapest Major Stage 1 will continue to create the esports show for us in Stage 2. The level of challenge for them increases significantly, though.

The StarLadder CS2 Major in Budapest continues until Dec. 14. The champions will be crowned on the final day.