From June 12 to 15, the final stage before the playoffs will unfold in Austin, USA. Stage 3 of the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 features the 16 strongest teams — the ones who made it through two rounds of intense competition. This is the final frontier: only 8 teams will advance to the playoff bracket, while the rest will go home.
Stage 3 Format
Stage 3 will be held in the same way as the previous two stages – in the format of the Swiss system. All 16 teams start with a clean 0–0 record and face opponents with the same win/loss count. Win three times — and you’re through to the playoffs. Lose three — and your Major run ends here.
Rounds 2 to 5 are seeded using the Buchholz system and teams’ initial seeds. As before, elimination and advancement matches are best-of-3, while all other matches are best-of-1. There’s no room for hesitation.
Opening Matches Stage 3
The first day promises thrilling matchups, each capable of turning predictions upside down:
- Vitality vs. Legacy
- MOUZ vs. Virtus.pro
- Spirit vs. paiN
- G2 vs. 3DMAX
- MongolZ vs. FURIA
- Aurora vs. FaZe
- NAVI vs. Nemiga
- Liquid vs. Lynn Vision
After these matches, second-round games will begin immediately. Their pairings will be known only after the first matches conclude. By the end of Round 2, we’ll already know four teams either close to elimination or moving on to the next stage.
Clear Favorites
Vitality are the undisputed favorites of this Major. They’ve won six Tier-1 events in a row and look unstoppable. However, with two BO1 matches guaranteed, even the best can stumble — a perfect 3-0 isn’t a lock. Still, anything short of playoffs would be a massive shock.
MOUZ, Spirit, and The MongolZ all come into Stage 3 with high expectations. These squads have consistently shown their strength and are widely seen as safe bets to make playoffs — although head-to-head matchups in later rounds could complicate their paths.
Dark Horse Turned Contender
Aurora might just be the team to shock the world. They’ve been grinding T1 events all season, gaining experience and refining their game. If there was ever a time for all that to pay off, it’s now — and a 3-0 run, while surprising, wouldn’t be completely out of the blue.
NAVI have had a shaky year, but history shows they can peak at the right moment. Their victory at the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 is proof of their clutch potential. Despite their inconsistent form, they cannot be written off.
Big Names, Big Questions
G2 may have made it to Stage 3, but their overall performance this season — combined with internal instability — raises concerns. With their AWPer set to retire after this event, motivation might be high, but playoffs still feel like a long shot.
Liquid are still a mystery. They’ve got a new IGL and some role-related issues that haven’t been fully resolved. Their ceiling is unclear — they could break through or fall apart in key moments.
Surprise Packages
Virtus.pro and Legacy shocked everyone by going 3-0 in Stage 2. Legacy weren’t even supposed to be here — they replaced BESTIA due to visa issues — yet managed an incredible run. Virtus.pro finally look like they’re stabilizing, and their recent victories suggest it’s not a fluke.
FaZe are playing without pressure, taking an all-in approach. Their game still has rough edges, but beating MIBR in a high-stakes match reminded everyone of their pedigree. With momentum on their side, they’re a dangerous opponent for anyone.
Battle-Tested and Ready
FURIA, 3DMAX, and paiN weren’t projected to make it this far, but they did it on merit. Their gameplay has been convincing, and each of them could challenge top-tier teams if they start strong in the BO1s. If any of these teams reach 2-0, don’t be surprised to see them close it out in BO3s.
Audience favorites
Lynn Vision and Nemiga have already written their own Major fairy tales. Lynn Vision bring infectious energy and sharp aim, while Nemiga’s captain 1eer has become a fan-favorite with his bold trash talk and fearless attitude. These teams aren’t just underdogs anymore — they’re dangerous.
Final Thoughts
Stage 3 of the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 will define the playoff picture. While teams like Vitality, Spirit, and MOUZ are expected to deliver, the real story may come from the outsiders — Aurora, Legacy, and even Nemiga — who have shown that anything is possible at this Major.
Every BO1 can tip the balance. Every BO3 can end a dream. The pressure has never been higher, and reputations will be forged — or broken — in Austin.
Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge
As the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 heats up, Skin.Club is running its Pick’em Challenge to bring even more excitement to the action. Participants can still make predictions for upcoming matches and select the teams they believe will advance through each stage.
At stake is a legendary AWP | Dragon Lore — the grand prize — along with dozens of high-value skins including knives, gloves, and rifles. Whether you’re following your favorite team or trusting your gut, now’s your chance to test your CS2 knowledge and win big.
