The summer of 2025 went down in esports history as the end of an era. From June 3 to 22, Austin, USA, hosted the final Major tournament for Counter-Strike 2 – BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025. This tournament symbolized the end of the CS2 era and opened a new chapter for the franchise and the esports community. Gambling fans who watched all stages of the matches could predict the outcome of events and profit from it. Every bettor who played on the e-sports line had access to various incentives, such as Lucky Friday 1xBet, cashbacks, and bonuses for success. With their help, it was possible to double your chances of winning. Also, during the competition, cappers had access to detailed statistics and various betting options, which increased the overall interest in gambling entertainment.
The series of major tournaments for this computer game has been held for over 10 years under the watchful eye of Valve developers. The Counter-Strike 2 Major Championship is considered prestigious due to:
the size of the prize pools;
the lineup of participants;
the number of bets placed by gambling fans of the e-sports line.
Independent analysts compare this tournament to world championships in other sports. For Counter-Strike 2 esports players, winning the BLAST.tv Austin Major competition is the highest achievement.
Tournament format
Before the start of the main Counter-Strike 2 competition, qualifying tournaments were held. The European qualifiers took place on April 14-17, 2025, while esports players from Asia and the United States competed from April 15 to 17, 2025.
It is important to note that on January 4, 2025, the developers of the renowned game CS:GO 2 announced changes to the competition format. The majors will now feature 32 teams of the strongest gamers, rather than 24. The RMR tournaments, which have been held since 2020, will be replaced by regional MRQ qualifiers. These innovations are due to a number of reasons. The main one is the increase in the number of teams competing for the status of the best. Applications to participate in the majors came from all over the world, which contributed to changes in the rules of the corporate competition.
The tournament takes place in several stages: qualifiers, playoffs, and finals, where the top teams compete in a tense battle for victory. The participation of well-known and new teams adds extra interest to the tournament.
Features of the arena for the Counter-Strike 2 Major Finals
The CS2 Major Finals were held at the famous Moody Center arena. The gaming arena is located in the heart of Austin, Texas. It is a relatively new multi-purpose venue that opened in 2022.
The organizers set up a stage with a 360-degree display surrounded by huge LED screens and projections. This gave the audience a complete sense of presence. Even spectators in the furthest seats could see every detail of the match, replays, and the players’ reactions in real time.
Light shows and special effects, such as smoke machines, laser projections, and synchronized lighting of the stands, added to the excitement. This approach to organizing a world-class esports competition made each team’s appearance on stage a real show. Active bettors could watch BLAST.tv Austin Major live coverage and predict the outcome of events down to the minute. To make sure you don’t miss any upcoming competitions featuring top esports players, click here and get access to major tournament streams today. The website offers a variety of entertainment and broadcasts of all global events in the world of e-sports.
Key participants in the playoff stage
Fans from around the world eagerly awaited the participation of such star teams as NAVI, FaZe Clan, Team Liquid, and many others. Each team was eager to demonstrate their best games to win the championship title and a share of the impressive prize pool, which reached $1.25 million. Most themed resources competed to be the first to capture the CS2 esports tournament highlights.
Stages
Teams
Score
Prize fund
Quarterfinals
Team Spirit&MOUZ
1:2
45 000 $
Team Vitality&Natus Vincere
2:0
FaZe Clan&The MongolZ
0:2
FURIA Esports&paiN
1:2
Semifinals
MOUZ&Team Vitality
1:2
80 000 $
The MongolZ&paiN
2:0
Finals
Team Vitality&The MongolZ
2:1
Gold – $500,000
Silver – $170,000
FaZe Clan’s comeback was one of the highlights of the tournament. No one expected to see them in the arena, which caused gambling fans to ramp up their bets. At the end of the third final major tournament among the Top teams and players at BLAST.tv Major, the French team Team Vitality won with a prize pool of half a million US dollars.
The economic impact of the competition
The Counter-Strike 2 Major Finals in Austin were not just a global esports event, but also a significant contribution to the city’s economy and the industry as a whole. According to preliminary estimates by the organizers and local authorities, the cyber competition generated more than $50 million in direct revenue for the city. These funds came from ticket sales. It is important to note that the Moody Center can accommodate more than 13,000 esports fans. The budget also received funds from the sale of souvenirs, food, and beverages at the arena and fan zones.
The tournament attracted thousands of foreign guests to Austin. Not only foreign fans and players were among them, but also representatives of media organizations and the esports players’ support team. The city’s hotels were almost fully booked a month before the tournament. Economists note that the average hotel occupancy rate during the major tournament rose to 95-98%, and the average price per night increased by 20-30% compared to the usual season.
In addition, major brands, including gaming peripheral manufacturers, energy drink companies, and IT companies, contributed thousands of US dollars in financial assets, specifically:
team sponsorship;
advertising campaigns featuring esports stars;
On-site report from CS2 Major 2025;
Direct sponsorship contracts for BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 are estimated at over $10 million. This included brand integration in broadcasts, fan zones, and merchandise.
The Major was broadcast on major streaming platforms and attracted a peak online audience during the finals. By the way, anyone interested in esports can learn more about esports education. This is a great opportunity to improve your personal betting performance.
In addition, the sale of media production rights and exclusive partnerships with platforms allowed the organizers and BLAST.tv to strengthen their position in the e-sports market and cover a significant portion of the event’s costs.
Moreover, the tournament has reinforced Austin’s image as a hub for major events and technological developments. City officials plan to use the success of the CS2 Summer Major to attract new tournaments, gaming festivals, and exhibitions. This will help create jobs and develop infrastructure.
