The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 is set to become one of the biggest CS2 events of the year, with a revamped four-stage format, a $1.25 million prize pool, and some of the best teams in the world competing on American soil. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming CSGO Katowice 2025-level event, from qualifier formats to key teams to watch.
When and Where Is the Austin Major?
The Austin Major will take place from June 2 to June 22 in Austin, Texas. The playoff stage will be hosted at the Moody Center, a 16,000-capacity venue ready to welcome one of the loudest crowds in Counter-Strike 2 history.
Teams aren’t just fighting for the $500,000 top prize—they're also chasing sticker revenue, which can earn players six-figure payouts. As RoeJ once revealed, his total sticker earnings across four Majors ranged between $600,000 and $900,000.
Format: Four Stages, New Structure
Unlike past Majors, the BLAST.tv Austin Major introduces a four-stage structure:
Stage 1: 16 teams from closed regional qualifiers (MRQ).
Stage 2: The 16 remaining teams, including 8 lower-ranked invited teams.
Stage 3: Valve’s top 8 directly invited squads.
Stage 4: The Playoffs – single elimination, best-of-3 matches in front of a live crowd.
Stages 1–3 will all use the Swiss system, while the playoff bracket will follow a classic knockout format.
When Are the MRQs?
The MRQ (Mid-Regional Qualifiers) are scheduled for mid-April across all major regions:
Europe: April 14–17 (6 slots)
North America: April 15–17 (3 slots)
South America: April 15–17 (3 slots)
Mongolia & Western Asia: April 15–17 (1 slot)
China: April 15–17 (2 slots)
Oceania & Southeast Asia: April 15–17 (1 slot)
European MRQ: Big Names and Fierce Competition
Sixteen teams will battle it out using the Swiss format. Teams with a 3-0 or 3-1 record qualify directly. Those with 3-2 records enter a play-in round to decide the final spot. Astralis, Heroic, GamerLegion, SAW, Fnatic, and 500 are among the key squads to watch in Europe.
American MRQs: GSL to Playoffs
Both North and South America will run GSL group stages. Group winners qualify, and the second/third place teams will play in a single-elimination playoff for the last Major slot.
NA Invites: Wildcard, NRG, Complexity, Nouns
SA Invites: Imperial Esports, Fluxo, Legacy, RED Canids
Asia MRQs: Three Regions, Three Brackets
The Asian MRQs are split into three regional mini-events with Double Elimination formats.
Mongolia & Western Asia: The Huns, Eruption, Chinggis Warriors, Gods Reign
China: Rare Atom, TyLoo, Lynn Vision, DogEvil
Oceania & SEA: FlyQuest, SemperFi Esports, Rooster, ex-Talon
The Road to Texas
We’re entering a crucial period in the CS2 esports calendar. Qualifiers are kicking off, legends are being forged, and underdogs are ready to shake up the scene. The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 might be the first truly defining moment of this era in Counter-Strike 2—and we’ll be watching every step of the way.
Want to explore new drops from the Spring Update before the Major begins? Check out our latest breakdown of all the new skins and collections in CS2.
