On June 2, the first CS2 Major of 2025 — BLAST.tv Austin Major — will kick off in Austin, USA. The tournament will feature 32 teams who qualified through tough regional events or received direct invites. This article focuses on the Opening Stage — its format, the initial matchups, and the teams competing for a spot in the next phase.
BLASTtv Austin Major 2025: Stage 1 Format
The first stage of the Major in Astana — known as the “Opening Stage” — is played in a Swiss system format with 16 participating teams. All of them will compete for 8 spots in the next phase — the “Legends Stage”, while the remaining 8 teams will be eliminated from the tournament.
Match System:
- Round 1 is seeded based on the teams’ initial placements, determined by the results of the RMR events.
- Rounds 2 to 5 use the Buchholz system, which takes into account the results of previous opponents to ensure the fairest matchups possible.
- Teams that achieve 3 wins advance to the next stage.
- Teams that suffer 3 losses are eliminated from the tournament.
Match Formats:
- All matches, except for elimination and advancement games, are played in a best-of-1 format. This adds an element of unpredictability and requires teams to be sharp from the very first round.
- Elimination matches (1-2 or 2-2 records) and advancement matches (2-0 or 2-1 records) are played as best-of-3 series. These high-stakes matches often determine a team’s fate in the tournament.
Stage Objective:
- The top 8 teams move on to the Legends Stage, where they will face the strongest squads from the RMR qualifiers.
- The bottom 8 teams are eliminated and end their Major journey.
This stage is a true test of resilience — in a format packed with short series, not only raw skill matters, but also mental fortitude, preparation for specific opponents, and the ability to quickly adapt to the tournament’s pace. Even underdog teams have the chance to become the breakout stars of the day.
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European Clashes: Favorites Face Rising Challengers
European teams have created some thrilling first-round matchups, with seasoned powerhouses set to face ambitious newcomers. Expect tense duels that will set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
- Complexity vs OG
- HEROIC vs Chinggis Warriors
- B8 vs Imperial
- BetBoom vs Nemiga
- TYLOO vs NRG
- Lynn Vision vs Metizport
- Wildcard vs Fluxo
- FlyQuest vs Bestia
These opening games promise excitement, as experienced veterans clash with hungry underdogs. In particular, B8 vs Imperial and HEROIC vs Chinggis Warriors stand out as must-watch encounters.
First Test of Strength: Who’s Ready to Break Through?
The first round will be a crucial test for teams hoping to advance to the next stage. For squads like Metizport, Nemiga, or Chinggis Warriors, a strong start could provide valuable momentum. Meanwhile, favorites such as HEROIC and Complexity cannot afford any slip-ups — each loss increases the risk of early elimination.
In the Swiss format, every match carries weight, and early momentum often shapes a team’s entire run. That means the competition will be fierce from day one, with plenty of high-stakes moments and emotional highs and lows for fans to enjoy.
The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 will take place from June 2 to June 22 in Austin, Texas, with $1,250,000 in prize money up for grabs.
