The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Opening Stage blasts off November 24 at MTK Sportpark, Hungary—with 16 teams battling in Swiss format for 8 Stage 2 spots ($1.25M prize pool). Pick’Em challenges are live in the Viewer Pass; nail Stage 1 for Gold+ coins and sticker rewards. Market cap at $481M (up 12% weekly)—stickers could pump 20-30% on hype. Here's the format, teams, predictions, and trading edge.
Stage 1 Format & Teams
Swiss System (Nov 24-27): 16 Valve Regional Standings invites. Bo1 rounds 1/5, Bo3 elim/adv. Top 8 advance; bottom 8 out.
Teams (seeded by VRS):
Top Seeds: FaZe Clan, Legacy, GamerLegion, B8, fnatic, PARIVISION, M80, NRG.
Contenders: FlyQuest, Lynn Vision, NiP, Imperial.
Underdogs: RED Canids, The Huns, Rare Atom.
Consensus from pro analysts (Tedd, STYKO, Ozzny): Legacy/B8 crush 3-0; FaZe/GL advance safely.
Our Stage 1 Pick’Em Predictions
Based on form (IEM Chengdu, recent LANs), meta (Vitality/Falcons dominate overall, but Stage 1 upsets loom). Aim for Diamond: safe 3-0/0-3, risky advances.
Category | Picks | Why? |
|---|---|---|
3-0 | Legacy, B8 | Legacy: EU beasts, unbeaten LAN streak. B8: Hot form, upset kings. |
0-3 | RED Canids, The Huns | RED: Weak RMR. Huns: Rookie struggles vs pros. |
Advance (3-1/3-2) | FaZe, GamerLegion, fnatic, PARIVISION, FlyQuest, Lynn Vision | FaZe: Momentum. GL/fnatic: Stable. PARI/FlyQuest: Upset potential. Lynn: Chinese dark horse. |
Risky Upsets: FaZe 1st BO1 loss to Lynn Vision; PARI masterclass.
Sticker Trading Angle
Capsules drop soon (late Nov/early Dec)—bordered designs expected. Prep:
Austin Run-Up: Low supply (33k listings), buy now for 15-25% pre-drop pump.
Borderless Past Majors: Antwerp/Stockholm capsules thinning—stack for craft hype.
Souvenirs: Watch charms/packages—if discontinued, Austin explodes 3x.
Sticker Play | Action | Target ROI |
|---|---|---|
Austin Capsules | Buy dips | 20-30% pre-drop |
Borderless (Antwerp) | Stack 100+ | 50%+ on hype |
Disbanded Teams | Holos/Foils | 5-10x long |
What This Means for Traders
Pick’Em Safe: Legacy/B8 3-0, RED/Huns 0-3—Gold coin locked.
Risk Diamond: Add FaZe loss, PARI advance.
Sticker Prep: Steam balance ready; sell Austin 50% on pump.
Risks: Upsets tank coins; delayed drop stalls stickers.
My Forecast
Stage 1: Legacy/B8 top seeds advance easy; FaZe/GL grind through. Diamond coin viable with our picks. Stickers pump $481M cap to $520M short-term; Austin 25% lift. Nail Pick’Em, stack smart.
