Texas is about to get very loud. After seven long years of waiting, the Counter-Strike Major is finally returning to American soil, specifically the Moody Center in Austin. Honestly, the buzz is a little different this time. It’s not just another tournament; it’s the first Major of 2025, and Valve is shaking things up with a massive 32-team expansion. If you’re trying to plan your life around the Austin Major CS2 schedule, you’ve probably realized it's a bit more complex than the old "Legends" and "Challengers" stages we used to know.
Basically, BLAST.tv has laid out a three-week marathon. We aren't just looking at a long weekend of clicking heads. This thing runs from June 3 to June 22, 2025. Because the field is so huge now, the early stages are a gauntlet of Swiss brackets that will chew up even the most prepared rosters.
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Breaking Down the Three Stages of Austin
The tournament doesn't just start with the big names like Vitality or Spirit on day one. It builds. You’ve got three distinct phases leading up to the main event in front of the crowd.
Stage 1: The Initial Gauntlet (June 3 – June 6)
This is where the 16 teams from the Regional Qualifiers (MRQs) start. It’s a classic Swiss System. If a team loses three times, they’re out. If they win three, they move to Stage 2. Most of these matches are Best-of-1 (Bo1), but any match that sends someone home or puts them through is a Best-of-3 (Bo3).
Stage 2: The Mid-Tier Clash (June 7 – June 10)
Things get sweatier here. The 8 winners from Stage 1 meet 8 new teams—these are teams that were invited directly based on their Valve Regional Standings (VRS). If you’re looking for teams like Falcons or 3DMAX, this is usually where they enter the fray.
Stage 3: The Final Filter (June 12 – June 15)
This is the big leagues. The top 8 from the previous stage meet the absolute elite—the top 8 VRS seeds like Team Vitality, MOUZ, and Team Spirit. This stage is the final hurdle. Only 8 teams survive this week to make it into the arena for the actual Playoffs.
The Playoffs: When the Moody Center Opens
The part everyone actually wants to see in person—the Austin Major CS2 schedule for the live crowd—starts on June 19. If you bought tickets, this is your window.
- Quarterfinals: Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20.
- Semifinals: Saturday, June 21.
- The Grand Final: Sunday, June 22.
It’s a single-elimination bracket. No second chances. No lower bracket runs. One bad map and you're at the airport. All matches here are Best-of-3. While some fans were hoping for a Best-of-5 final, BLAST is sticking to the traditional Bo3 format for the trophy match on Sunday.
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Why 32 Teams Changes Everything
The expansion to 32 teams is a controversial move for some. Critics say it dilutes the prestige. Supporters argue it finally gives the Tier 2 scene a fair shot. Historically, the Major featured 24 teams, but with the 2025 season, Valve decided to open the floodgates.
What this means for the viewer is a lot more Counter-Strike. Like, a lot. You’ll see teams from Asia and the Americas that usually get gatekept in the qualifiers actually making it to the main broadcast. For North American fans, this is a massive opportunity to see domestic squads like Team Liquid and Complexity try to defend their home turf. The last time the US hosted a Major, Cloud9 pulled off that miracle run in Boston. People are desperate for a repeat of that magic.
Important Times and Where to Watch
Matches are slated to start around 11:00 AM local time (CST) for most days. Since Austin is in the Central Time Zone, that’s 12:00 PM EST or 6:00 PM CEST for the European viewers who are going to be staying up late to catch the action.
You can catch the official broadcast on BLAST.tv, which is their own platform that usually has higher bitrates and interactive stats. Of course, it’ll be on Twitch and YouTube as well. If you’re into community casters, keep an eye out for guys like OhnePixel or Gaules, though they have to follow specific BLAST guidelines regarding what they can and can’t show on their own streams.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning to follow along, here is what you need to do right now:
- Verify Your Time Zone: Set your calendar alerts for June 3. If you’re in Europe, prepare for some long nights since the grand final on June 22 will likely end well past midnight your time.
- Download the BLAST App: They often have "Pick'Em" style games and exclusive drops that aren't always easy to get on the standard Twitch stream.
- Track the VRS Rankings: Since the invites for Stages 2 and 3 are based on the Valve Regional Standings from April 7, 2025, that is the date when the bracket truly takes shape.
- Book Your Stay: If you're heading to Austin, the Moody Center is on the University of Texas campus. Hotels in that area fill up fast and get expensive, so look for spots near the Red Line light rail if you want to save a few bucks on transport.
The road to the trophy is longer than it’s ever been. With 32 teams and a revamped schedule, the Austin Major is going to be a test of endurance as much as skill.