For the first time in Counter-Strike history, a Major will take place without regional qualifiers (MRQ). All 32 slots at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 will be allocated exclusively based on the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) system. The decision sparked a wave of backlash from the community, as it reshapes a fundamental principle of Major accessibility.
What Happened?
Valve officially announced the cancellation of the fall Major Regional Qualifiers (MRQ). Instead, all 32 teams participating in the Budapest Major will receive direct invites based on the VRS — a ranking system determined by team performances in recognized tournaments.
One of the goals of the VRS system is to unify community events so they can be integrated into the Major cycle. At this point, we believe a separate qualifier for the Major is unnecessary and creates additional complications. — Valve
🚨 Important Update: MRQs Cancelled for StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
32 teams will receive direct invites to the Major based on VRS (Valve Regional Standings)
📅 Invite Date: Oct 8, 2025.
More info coming soonFull article: https://t.co/J1rpZqjk8R#CS2 #BudapestMajor pic.twitter.com/YiS0t3gekA
— StarLadder CS2 (@StarLadder_CS) June 11, 2025
How MRQ Used to Work — and Why It Mattered
MRQs were the final step of the qualification process. Teams that advanced through regional closed qualifiers would compete for spots at the Major. This stage often produced big surprises — breakout stars, fresh lineups, and underdog stories that electrified the scene.
Canceling the MRQ effectively shuts down the open path to the Major. Now, only teams with a high enough VRS rating — accumulated over months of participation in top-tier events — will be eligible.
Potential Advantages
- Transparency: VRS provides a clear view of who’s truly strong over time.
- Schedule Clarity: MRQs often overlapped with other major events (CCT, Thunderpick, MESA). That issue is now eliminated.
- Structural Stability: Teams can plan ahead, knowing how many points they need to reach the Major.
Main Risks and Criticism
- Closed System: Emerging teams can no longer make a rapid climb to the top stage.
- Regional Inequality: Regions with fewer events (e.g., South America, Asia) will have limited opportunities.
- Loss of the “Major Magic”: No more underdog stories, surprise upsets, or breakout qualifiers.
Community Reaction: Criticism, Sarcasm, and Outrage
Valve’s announcement was met with widespread criticism across social media. The vast majority of responses were negative:
- CS2 Universe: “This is a huge L for Majors”
- Gustavo Aroso: “You just killed Counter-Strike at the highest emotion level possible.”
- INTERLOPER CS:“It’s gonna be rough to advance in the VRS, considering most events only have 16 teams.Valve should have planned this earlier.”
Many are calling for the return of RMR or demanding that open qualifiers be introduced for all VRS events. Short comments like “WHAT?”, “BRUH WHATTTT” and “XD” flooded the feed — the community’s response was emotional and nearly unanimous: this is a step backward for Majors.
What’s Next?
- VRS Events Will Be Crucial: Teams will be forced to play more frequently in ranking events (ESL, BLAST, CCT).
- Push for Reform: Community voices are urging Valve to mandate open qualifiers for all VRS-ranked tournaments, to preserve at least some level of accessibility.
- Tournament Size Problem: Most VRS events only include 12–16 teams, limiting the number of players who can earn ranking points.
The cancellation of MRQs marks a tectonic shift in the structure of Majors. Valve aims for a system that is stable, consistent, and transparent — but this change comes at the cost of a key part of Counter-Strike’s soul: openness, surprises, and a path for newcomers to rise. Instead of refining the qualification process, Valve simply removed it.
