StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Playoffs Pick’Em Challenge Guide

The final stage of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is almost here, and with it, we have a final shot at the sought-after Gold Coin.

Now that Swiss stages are behind us, there'll be no more Bo1s, so much more predictable bracket, or so we think. Because for the first time after a long time, we have a Major Playoff without one or two teams clearly ahead of their competition. Meaning, while the volatility of Bo1s is gone, moving forward it’d be which team plays better Counter-Strike on the day of the games.

But before the action starts, let’s lock down our picks and pray to Lord Gaben that you secure that Gold Coin.

Budapest Major 2025 Playoffs Pick’Em Challenge Guide

The Pick’Em Challenge for the Playoffs plays out slightly differently than the Swiss Stage. For Playoffs, you have to correctly predict the winner of each fixture including the Grand Finals, i.e. simulate the complete bracket.

The Pick’Em Challenges to be completed for Playoffs are:

• Place all seven Pick’Em Predictions
• Get two correct Quarterfinals Predictions
• Get one correct Semifinal Prediction
• Get one correct Grand Final Prediction

All games are Bo3, with the exception of the Grand Finals that are Bo5. 

Now that we went over the Playoff Pick’Em Challenges, let’s get on with predicting.

Strafe’s Budapest Major 2025 Playoff Pick’em Predictions:

Strafe’s Budapest Major 2025 Playoff Pick’em Predictions (Credit: Valve)

Quarterfinals

Team Spirit vs. Team Falcons: 

Team Spirit has levelled up coming into the Major. The team looks much more cohesive and does a better job of playing off of their star in donk. But, realistically, Team Falcons’ star power and the talent on the roster clears Spirit (if they don’t choke).

Team Vitality vs. The MongolZ:

On the surface, this is the easiest of the Playoff fixtures to predict. But during Stage 3, MongolZ proved that they can challenge the biggest teams in the world without their main star. That said, Vitality should have an upper hand over their opponents.

FURIA vs. Natus Vincere: 

FURIA are uncontested favorites and the one leading the contenders race at the Major. Naturally, they are the favorites against NAVI and should win, as they did to start their Major run. The NAVI squad can deliver the upset, but we expect the Brazilians to clean up.

MOUZ vs. FaZe Clan: 

Choosing MOUZ should be the logical choice here, but FaZe Clan at Major seldom follows conventional logic. Also, amongst the eight teams in the Playoffs, MOUZ are the most susceptible to the pressure and magic, despite being a strong team through and through.

Semifinals

If the Quarterfinals play out as we expect we will have the following fixtures for the Semifinals:

Team Falcons vs. Team Vitality:

Both Falcons and Vitality are team stacked to the brim. Both have the talent and similar form across the board. While Vitality has a better overall record for 2025, their most recent clash was dominated by Falcons. Given all that, it is very hard to choose a winner between the two. Vitality does have the clutch factor , but this time we expect Falcons to show up and show out to close out the game.

FURIA vs. FaZe Clan: 

Both FURIA and FaZe Clan have amazing storylines at Budapest Major. FaZe took the longest road possible, while FURIA is a team with the hopes of the entire region on their shoulders. FaZe Clan do have their magic, but FURIA have Molodoy. While we expect surprises, FalleN's leadership and experience will counter Karrigan’s Magic.

Grand Finals

FURIA vs. Team Falcons:

While we want to believe that NiKo finally gets his flowers in Budapest, it’d be hard to imagine FURIA losing to Team Falcons in a Bo5 Grand Final.  Both teams look sharp and the only real gap between them is the experience on the IGLs. While it isn’t a big factor on its own, larger stakes mean smaller gaps are magnified.

Historically, FURIA is 4-1 up in the 2025 head-to-head, and with the momentum and FalleN’s experience, they will convert their lead in the favorites' race into a Major trophy. FalleN will once again put Brazil on the CS map, almost 10 years after doing it for the first time.

The Budapest Major 2025 Playoffs go down at the MVM dome starting December 11. Catch the action live OR follow the tournament on Strafe with live score, hottest news, latest results and more.

Need more information on the Budapest Major 2025, check out the following articles:

• All you need to know
• Budapest Major Souvenir Package Guide

Don't forget to check out Strafe Esports for all the latest Counter Strike 2 news and our X account for the latest content and coverage of your favorite eSports. Also, subscribe to our channel on YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured Image Credit: StarLadder