CS2: Valve Announces the First BO5 Major Grand Final in Budapest
Sheep Esports brings you expert insights and the latest news from League of Legends Esports. As the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 approaches, it is clear this event will mark a significant milestone: it will be the first Counter-Strike Major with a Best-of-Five (BO5) grand final, as confirmed by Valve on Tuesday.
Historically, Valve and tournament organizers have reserved a Best-of-Three (BO3) format for grand finals, despite evidence that BO5 finals attract strong audiences. This change reflects a long-anticipated shift in the scene.
Audience Trends Confirm the BO5 Move
- IEM Cologne 2024, a major non-Valve event traditionally ending with a BO5 grand final, peaked at 1,051,810 concurrent viewers.
- IEM Katowice 2025 saw a BO5 final between Team Vitality and Team Spirit, reaching 1.29 million viewers.
Comparing these numbers to Valve's events highlights the trend:
| Event | Peak Viewers | Format |
|---|---|---|
| CS:GO Major in Paris 2023 | 1.53 million | BO3 |
| CS2 Major in Copenhagen (first) | 1.85 million | BO3 |
| IEM Cologne 2024 | 1.05 million | BO5 |
| IEM Katowice 2025 | 1.29 million | BO5 |
This suggests longer series do not reduce viewership. Instead, they increase engagement when high stakes and elite teams are involved.
Significance of the Budapest Major 2025 Format Change
The decision to hold a BO5 grand final aligns well with CS2’s transition to the MR12 format, enhancing competitive depth and viewer experience.
"This event will not simply be the fourth Major of the Counter-Strike 2 era… it will also be the first Counter-Strike Major whose grand final will be a BO5, a shift that the scene has been anticipating for years."
Valve’s move to BO5 grand finals acknowledges the evolving expectations of fans and the proven success of longer match formats in attracting large audiences.
Author’s Summary
The Budapest Major 2025 marks a key evolution in Counter-Strike esports, introducing the first BO5 grand final to enhance competition and viewer engagement, reflecting trends proven at recent major tournaments.