FaZe Clan and NAVI secure StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 3 qualification

FaZe Clan and NAVI have become the first two teams to qualify for Stage 3 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.

The pair successfully advanced to the final Swiss stage of Counter-Strike’s biggest tournament with a flawless campaign, winning the first three rounds.

FaZe Clan’s Stage 2 campaign in Budapest was a stark contrast to its Stage 1 struggles. After barely making it through the opening stage, the international roster looked like a different team, scoring an unexpected 13-10 victory over Aurora Gaming in round two.

An in-form Ninjas in Pyjamas looked to put a halt to any FaZe Clan momentum in a bid to return the iconic name to the final stage of a Major for the first time since the introduction of the three-stage format.

Inferno and Nuke required overtime to determine a winner, but FaZe Clan held its own to become the first team to earn a 3-0 record.

NAVI faced off against B8 in an all-Ukrainian clash for another spot in Stage 3. NAVI opened the series on the front foot, taking Train 13-6 to move another step closer to the Major’s next phase.

With the momentum in its favour, NAVI quickly established an early lead in the opening eight rounds of Mirage. B8 managed to reduce the deficit, ending the half with a 7-5 scoreline in favour of NAVI. 

2024’s Copenhagen Major champion extended its slender advantage in the second half, with Mihai ‘iM’ Ivan leading the charge at the top of the leaderboard. B8 bought the map to a two-round gap, before NAVI raced away to take a 13-8 win and a 2-0 sweep to advance.

After beginning Stage 2 with two defeats, the pair of Astralis and Team Liquid found themselves on the verge of an early elimination. Astralis required a victory over FlyQuest in a best-of-three to earn another shot at qualifying, while Team Liquid battled against MIBR.

FlyQuest’s impressive run through Stage 1 came to an end at the hands of the Danish side, with Astralis securing a 2-0 sweep, sending the Australians out of the Major despite a promising start.

Team Liquid began Inferno on the front foot before surviving double overtime on Mirage to emerge victorious with a 2-0 sweep of its own to claim its place in Stage 2’s fourth round. 

Outside of the qualification and elimination matches, teams with a 1-1 record competed in another set of best-of-ones. M80, 3DMAX, Parivision, and Imperial Esports all emerged victorious, moving to a 2-1 record and a step closer to the next stage. 

For TYLOO, Passion UA, Fnatic, and Aurora Gaming, defeat in round three puts pressure on round four, where a best-of-three will decide if they advance or head home.

With the first three rounds of Stage 2 complete, the stakes are raised as attention turns to round four, taking place on December 1st.

Three more teams will earn their place in Stage 3, while the Major campaign of another trio comes to an end.