Everything You Need to Know About the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025

Mark your calendars—Counter-Strike 2’s next big showdown is coming to the heart of Texas. The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 is set to take place from June 3 to June 22, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most exciting esports events of the year.

North America Hosts a Major (Finally!)

For the first time since 2018, a CS Major returns to North America. This time, Austin’s Moody Center will host the playoff stage, bringing the action to a live audience of up to 16,000 fans. With 32 teams competing and a prize pool of $1,250,000, the stakes are higher than ever.

The Format: Four Stages, One Champion

• Stage 1 (June 3–6): 16 teams from the closed qualifiers battle it out in a Swiss system. First to three wins advance; three losses, and you're out.

• Stage 2 (June 7–10): The eight Stage 1 survivors meet eight more invitees. Same Swiss system, same rules.

• Stage 3 (June 12–15): Top 8 teams from Stage 2 face the highest-ranked teams in yet another Swiss round.

• Playoffs (June 19–22): Single-elimination bracket. No second chances. Every match is a best-of-three.

Teams to Watch

There’s no shortage of storylines this year. Team Vitality are the heavy favorites, riding a ridiculous win streak and powered by ZywOo, the undisputed GOAT of CS2. Right behind them? Team Falcons, now equipped with m0NESY and NiKo—yes, they’re on the same team. Scary stuff.

MOUZ and Team Spirit are also in the spotlight, especially with donk continuing his meteoric rise. FaZe Clan is bringing the big guns too—s1mple joins as a stand-in. Yep, that s1mple.

North America’s Best Shot

Team Liquid looks like the region’s best hope, starting in Stage 3. Complexity is based in Texas, which means this Major hits close to home. Wildcard might not be tournament favorites, but with co-owner Amouranth on their side, they’ve got plenty of hype (and maybe a little magic).

Global Underdogs

Want some feel-good stories? The MongolZ and Aurora Gaming are punching above their weight. With impressive runs earlier this year, they’ve shown they can go toe-to-toe with the big boys. If either team makes playoffs, expect CS2 Twitter to explode.

Why This Major Matters

The BLAST.tv Austin Major isn’t just about prize money—though $500,000 for first place is a sweet deal. For many players, the real prize is stickers. Yes, in-game stickers can earn players six-figure incomes depending on how far they go. It’s not just esports, it’s business.

Ready to Upgrade?

Watching the pros tear it up with flashy AWP skins and signature AKs? You don’t need to be on stage to flex. Head over to WAXPEER and pick up some heat for your loadout. No qualifiers required.

BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 kicks off June 3. Whether you’re rooting for NA, EU, or somewhere in between, one thing’s for sure—this one’s going to be legendary.