BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 - Stage 1 Preview

By Thomas Bradey — May 30, 2025 3 min read

The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 is set to ignite the Counter-Strike 2 scene from June 3 to 22 in Austin, Texas. This historic event marks the first CS2 Major held in North America since 2018 and introduces an expanded format featuring 32 teams battling for a share of the $1.25 million prize pool.

🏆 Tournament Format

The tournament unfolds over four stages:

Stage 1 (June 3–6): 16 teams compete in a Swiss System format. Matches are Best-of-One (Bo1), with elimination and advancement matches as Best-of-Three (Bo3). The top 8 teams advance to Stage 2, while the bottom 8 are eliminated.

Stage 2 (June 7–10): The 8 advancing teams from Stage 1 join 8 teams invited based on Valve Regional Standings (VRS). The format mirrors Stage 1.

Stage 3 (June 12–15): The 8 winners from Stage 2 face off against 8 top-seeded teams in another Swiss round.

Champions Stage (June 19–22): The final 8 teams compete in a single-elimination bracket to crown the champion.

💰 Prize Pool Breakdown

1st Place: $500,000
2nd Place: $170,000
3rd–4th Place: $80,000 each
5th–8th Place: $45,000 each
9th–16th Place: $20,000 each

Unique to majors, teams competing also receive a portion of in-game sticker capsule sales. This makes major qualification very lucrative for teams and players alike!

🔍 Stage 1 Teams Overview

Let's delve into the 16 teams kicking off the Major in Stage 1, highlighting their recent performances:

Europe

Heroic: A consistent top-tier team, Heroic has maintained strong performances in recent tournaments, showcasing their strategic depth and resilience.
OG: OG has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency. Their recent matches indicate potential, but they need to find stability to advance.
Nemiga: Emerging from the European qualifiers, Nemiga has been a dark horse, with notable upsets in regional tournaments.
BetBoom: BetBoom has been on an upward trajectory, securing wins against mid-tier teams and aiming to make a significant impact at the Major.
Metizport: Metizport has had mixed results, with some impressive victories and unexpected losses, making them an unpredictable opponent.
B8: B8 has been steadily improving, with recent performances indicating a team that's finding its footing on the international stage.

Americas

Complexity: A staple in the North American scene, Complexity has been refining their roster and strategies, aiming for a deep run in the Major.
Wildcard: Wildcard has had a rollercoaster of results, with significant victories and some setbacks, making their performance in Stage 1 crucial.
NRG: NRG has been rebuilding and showing promise, with recent matches indicating a team that's regaining its competitive edge.
Imperial: The Brazilian squad brings experience and flair, with a mix of veteran leadership and youthful energy aiming to surprise opponents.
Fluxo: Fluxo has been dominant in regional circuits, and they're looking to translate that success onto the global stage.
Legacy: As a replacement team, Legacy has a point to prove and the potential to upset more established teams.

Asia & Oceania

FlyQuest: Representing Oceania, FlyQuest has been making waves with their aggressive playstyle and are eager to challenge international teams.
TYLOO: A veteran team from China, TYLOO brings a wealth of experience and is known for their tactical prowess.
Lynn Vision: Lynn Vision has been climbing the ranks in the Asian scene, with recent performances showcasing their growth and potential.
Chinggis Warriors: Hailing from Mongolia, Chinggis Warriors are relatively new to the international scene but have shown promise in regional qualifiers.

🧠 Stage 1 Pick'ems and Betting Tips

We’ve cooked up a spicy set of Pick’ems for Stage 1 - and this time, you don’t just have to trust us.

Below you’ll find predictions from some of Counter-Strike’s most iconic voices - Launders, s1mple, OhnePixel, fl0m, Banks - and of course, your humble SBX blogger, Tom.

🧩 Who goes 3-0? Who bombs out 0-3? And who just scrapes through in a bloodbath of 2-2 matchups?

Whether you're riding with the GOATs or backing your own gut, make sure to scroll through and see how your bracket stacks up.

💬 Final Thoughts

As always, expect chaos. Expect heartbreak. Expect some poor soul to go 0-3 because of a botched pistol round. And yes - expect us to be watching every second of it.

👉 Want in on the action?
Join the community betting on every peek, plant, and pop-off - only on SBX.com.

📅 Chasing more than just CS?
Check out our 2025 Sports & Racing Watchlist for the biggest events worth following (and betting on) this year — from F1 title fights to footy finals.