The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 has etched its name in the annals of Counter-Strike esports, drawing a remarkable audience and setting new benchmarks. This prestigious event captivated viewers worldwide, establishing itself as the fifth most-watched Counter-Strike tournament ever.
Record-Breaking Viewership
The grand finale between Team Vitality and FaZe Clan attracted a peak of 1,554,419 viewers. According to reports, this impressive turnout, despite being an 8% dip from the BLAST.tv Austin Major earlier in the year, still outshines the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 and the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023. The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 became the tournament organizer’s most-watched event ever, surpassing the Berlin Major 2019. While Team Vitality emerged victorious in the final, FaZe Clan dominated as the most-watched team, amassing over 19 million hours viewed throughout the tournament stages.
The Legacy Continues
StarLadder now looks to the future with excitement, having announced the StarSeries Season 20 for 2026. Set to take place from September 16th to 20th, the event promises fierce competition among eight teams vying for a $250,000 prize pool. The tournament organizer had intended to host an event in the spring of 2026, but plans were altered due to a scheduling conflict with IEM Cologne Major.
As for the most-watched Counter-Strike event to date, the Stockholm Major 2021 retains its crown with a staggering 2.7 million peak viewers. Nonetheless, the Budapest Major holds its own, ranking as the 13th most-watched esports event of 2025.