CS2: Valve Announces the First BO5 Major Grand Final in Budapest
Experts from Sheep Esports highlight a turning point in Counter-Strike 2 competition as the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 approaches. Valve revealed that this event will feature the first-ever best-of-five (BO5) grand final in Major history, moving away from the long-standing best-of-three (BO3) format used for championship matches.
Shift Toward Longer Finals
For years, Valve and its tournament partners kept BO3 for deciding titles, even though tournament organizers in other events proved that BO5 finals maintain viewer interest. Recent data strongly supports this change.
- IEM Cologne 2024 saw 1,051,810 peak concurrent viewers during its BO5 final, despite not being a Major.
- IEM Katowice 2025 reached 1.29 million viewers for the BO5 Team Vitality vs. Team Spirit final.
These numbers rival and even approach the viewership of Valve-sanctioned Majors. By comparison, the last CS:GO Major in Paris 2023 drew 1.53 million viewers, and the inaugural CS2 Major in Copenhagen reached an impressive 1.85 million.
Community Reception and Context
The decision to adopt a BO5 final reflects a broader acceptance that longer series can elevate both competitiveness and entertainment—especially when the stakes are high and top-tier teams meet on stage.
“It becomes evident that longer series do not deter viewers, quite the opposite, provided the match carries high stakes and features elite teams.”
Strategic Timing
The move aligns with Counter-Strike 2’s recent shift to the MR12 round format, suggesting a more fast-paced yet comprehensive viewing experience—one that could define the future of Major finals under Valve’s direction.
Author’s Summary
Valve’s introduction of a BO5 Major final in Budapest 2025 marks a historic format change for Counter-Strike 2, balancing competition depth with the evolving preferences of a growing global audience.