Regional distribution for Budapest Major Stage 1 to match Austin

6-8-2025 11:12

The 'to be decided' clause in the Major rulebook has been updated three months before the tournament kicks off.

Valve have announced the regional allocation of invites for Stage 1 of the Budapest Major in an update to their Major rulebook.

Stage 2 and Stage 3 slots were already decided in July but the developers had left a 'TBD' clause for Stage 1.

That has now been changed, with 6 slots for Europe, 6 for the Americas, and 4 for Asia — the same as it was for Stage 1 in Austin, despite the wait for the announcement.

VRS model update adds "minimum participation requirement" for rosters, connects event stages

The confirmation comes after the VRS model was updated to connect event stages for prize pool purposes, and a change to when a player becomes part of the active VRS roster.

The invites now look as follows:

Stage 3:

Europe: 5 spots
Americas: 2 spots
Asia: 1 spots

Stage 2

Europe: 5 spots
Americas: 2 spots
Asia: 1 spots

Stage 1

Europe: 6 spots
Americas: 6 spots
Asia: 4 spots

See which teams are in line for a spot at this stage with our Invite Predictor

ok. valve seems to be on fire right now, all about the updates

2025-08-06 11:14

11 replies

still no mrq

2025-08-06 11:17

7 replies

MRQs are a weird thing, because I never though they would exist. If you remember the timeline, at the end of 2024, everything that was discussed on HLTV Confirmed was about how we are moving away from RMRs and are moving to the VRS for the major invites. MRQs were created abruptly because of the many issues plaguing VRS at that time. So I don't want MRQs in the long run, but at the current state of VRS I do want it as VRS has issues and loopholes which can be exploited to enter the majors. And Valve need to get their foot on the neck regarding the enforcement of their rules and they especially need to stop being so carefree with giving exceptions.

2025-08-06 11:36

5 replies

gluck gluck gluck

2025-08-06 12:13

2 replies

Just the Two of Us

2025-08-06 12:25

1 reply

We can make it if we try

2025-08-06 12:52

I mean Valve said in 2019 that all qualifiers will be gone and replaced by ranking. RMR literally means Regional Major Ranking. There were supposed to partner with 3-4 tournaments for such a ranking, where invites would be decided by the last itineration of the ranking, or by results from Major in the first tournament, with the goal of making basically all tournaments part of RMR. This system only worked in 2020, when as we know were no Majors. Later there were only one such tournament before Majors for every region, which were RMRs as we all surely know. The initialy proposed system has fully worked only in 2024. My point is, idk why everyone's bitching when valve said SIX years before that they will use this system without any qualifiers, just invites only based on a ranking splited into regions. And that should be the only correct way. Sure, the open qualifier stories were cool, but we should have the world's best teams, not some random team that just happened to have one good month and did nothing ever again.

2025-08-06 17:32

1 reply

"idk why everyone's bitching when valve said SIX years before that they will use this system without any qualifiers" i was unaware of any of this before reading this as when i started watching CS in online era, i just watched the game highlights on YT, i knew nothing about this, i only started following the scene at a deeper level around 2022. So I doubt the average person who just watches the esports knows. "Sure, the open qualifier stories were cool, but we should have the world's best teams, not some random team that just happened to have one good month and did nothing ever again." I think so too, but most people don't.

2025-08-06 18:21

MRQs were pretty pointless anyway. Although it might make sense for third parties to set up some ranked tournaments primarily for teams around 28th to 40th in VRS close to the Major invite date. Teams would effectively be playing for the final couple Major spots right before the invites go out. You could make it like 8 or 16 teams with a round robin system to maximize the VRS impact for those who do well. I think Valve would be wise to set up a framework in their rules for something like this. Like in addition to tier1 and tier2 events, you could have a tier3 event where invites start from 25th place team. It could bring part of the excitement of the RMRs back.

2025-08-06 11:51

Gaben bought a boatyard. He needs the money

2025-08-06 17:03

2 replies

good for our lord and savior gaben

2025-08-06 17:07

1 reply

Maybe soon we all will learn to swim, and Gaben knew it

2025-08-06 17:10

lets goo

2025-08-06 11:13

Nice

2025-08-06 11:13

shit

2025-08-06 11:14

Americas are given too many spots.

2025-08-06 11:14

5 replies

its all america not just na so i think its pretty fair

2025-08-06 13:49

not really if you look at top 32. it's not just NA. there are 6 americas teams in the top 32, 2 NA and 4 SA, 10 slots. there are 22 EU teams, 16 slots. 6 asia spots, 4 in the top 32. but, yes, complain about NA and let your hatred for us shine through 🤣.

2025-08-06 14:00

3 replies

so basically you stated that NA is the worst region yet you complain you are not?

2025-08-06 16:17

2 replies

based on the ratio of teams to top 32, the americas has the exact same ratio as asia if you include oceania. if you don't, the americas are better. not sure what's up with your reading comprehension. i think it's pretty public knowledge our scene nearly died out over here in 2020 because orgs are few and far between, especially in terms of prestige. i also don't see where i'm "complaining". i've stated multiple times on this thread that i think the americas should be reduced to 8 and those two slots be given to EU, but you probably didn't look for that and just chose to assume instead. cheers either way.

2025-08-06 16:26

1 reply

imo Americas do deserve those 10 spots but just because of SA as they're one of the most uprising regions with Asia (+Oceania) who also rightfully deserve their 6 spots. Major has proven that Brazilians are pushing again for the main scene with teams like paiN, this new Furia, Legacy or even Imperial. Also I think it's a no brainer that they should split NA and SA in 2 different regions as they don't share anything with each other, other than being "America" giving 7/8 spots to SA and 2/3 to NA.

2025-08-06 16:37

STILL NO MRQ OR RMR, THEY TOOK FROM US THE BEST THING ABOUT MAJORS

2025-08-06 11:17

3 replies

they just want astralis to be on a major again without chokes on rmrs and mrq

2025-08-06 12:54

Stage 1 is the new RMR

2025-08-06 14:54

1 reply

actual smart take

2025-08-06 20:32

Asia 8 spots / America 2*

2025-08-06 11:18

So ez for Torszi

2025-08-06 11:22

10 spots for america.THIS IS A JOKE

2025-08-06 11:24

1 reply

pretty much only bc pain and furia made it from stage 2 straight to playoffs lol

2025-08-06 20:34

what is the lock date for these stages?

2025-08-06 11:38

1 reply

It's going to be the October invite ranking.

2025-08-06 14:40

BR carrying NA to another Major

2025-08-06 11:38

1 reply

lol true

2025-08-06 13:54

lets see if Astralis will make it this time

2025-08-06 11:52

expected, nothing changed

2025-08-06 11:52

How tf NA is still getting more spots than Asia? Literally EVERY Asian team did well at the last major. Mongolz is even a top5 team right now. Who's the best NA team? Complexity?

2025-08-06 11:52

15 replies

bc NA gets to leech off of SA

2025-08-06 11:54

7 replies

Oh, forgot about that By the way, random fact but somehow Tyloo got way more points than Mongolz. That's all you need to know about this fraud system

2025-08-06 11:55

1 reply

i think that was simply in regards to this season. of course tyloo will get more winning an event compared to mongolz quarters finish, even if both tourneys aren't necessarily on the same level.

2025-08-06 13:51

hltv.org/valve-ranking/teams/major/Asia Crazy, right?

2025-08-06 11:55

4 replies

How tyloo is above mongolz

2025-08-06 12:00

2 replies

I am as shocked

2025-08-06 12:01

Its just a prediction based on the points that wont dissapear before the major. Basically mongolz has points from last season that will not count to the next major while tyloo just won fissure that while it will decay, its still more points than what mongolz gathered this season so far. Doesnt mean tyloo are actually better just that they are more certain to be at the next major if u dont think about any tournament that is yet to come

2025-08-06 12:22

#32

2025-08-06 12:22

It's not NA, it's Americas. If you didn't watch the last Major or watched it and don't remember, let me explain... There were 4 teams from Americas and 2 teams from Asia in Stage 3 and this is how regions win spots, placing teams in Stage 3

2025-08-06 12:18

4 replies

Stage 3 invites = based on the region of the teams that got to playoffs in the last major Stage 2 invites = based on the region of the teams that got eliminated in stage 3 last major Stage 1 invites = could be based on the region of the teams that got eliminated in stage 2 last major, which would give APAC 1, Americas 2 and EU 5 spots. But since that's only 8 spots that would mean the remaining 8 of the total 16 stage 1 spots would be APAC 3, Americas 4 and EU only 1 spot which doesn't make any sense. So does Valve just give stage 1 invites based on how they're feeling instead of using a proper system on how regions get them, or am I missing something?

2025-08-06 13:31

3 replies

about the placement of teams in the Stages 2 and 3 of the next Major, you are correct. the total of spots is all based on the number of teams that reach Stage 3 of the previous Major added to an already defined number of spots, which are currently 6 for EU and AM and 4 for AS

2025-08-06 13:54

...If you ask me why there are 6 guaranteed spots for Americas and just 4 guaranteed for Asia... the overall results in Majors still favor to Americas The Asian CS is growing and may steal spots from Americas soon, but it's not happening yet

2025-08-06 13:50

The stage 1 invites are fixed and do not change unless Valve decide to change them. It's always 6 Europe, 6 Americas, 4 Asia. It's the stage 2 and 3 invites that are performance based.

2025-08-06 14:42

Cuz BR is excelling even while NA is fumbling

2025-08-06 13:02

10 is too many, agreed. 8 is better. but to give it to asia would be dumb. asia has five good teams. europe has 22 teams in the top 32, only 16 slots. give them 18, keep asia at 6 so that maybe there could be an underdog story, move americas to 8 so that NRG can bottle it and wildcard/fluxo/imperial can fight for the final spot in americas just like chinggis warriors and the huns would fight for the last spot in asia. all is well!

2025-08-06 14:04

no qualifier route = mickey mouse major

2025-08-06 11:59

Best part of the major was seeing the underdog runs. The open quals, the RMRs (or minors)... Where's the magic? Where's the Counter-Strike spirit? How will runs like CringeGods coming from no HLTV maps and putting themselves on the map at a minor with REZ, Draken happen now?

2025-08-06 12:00

2 replies

+1 Definitely gonna miss the endless Albanian upsets xd

2025-08-06 12:01

Need more open quali spots in t1 tournament

2025-08-06 12:09

should remove two NA teams from stage 3 and repalce them with EU teams, that would be fair alteratively bring back qualis to this

2025-08-06 12:10

7 replies

those stage 3 slots are basically Brazilian not NA

2025-08-06 12:40

1 reply

BLUEJAYS, Fluxo, NRG are not imo better than Passion UA, fnatic and OG in big picture, but surely they can surprise hltv.org/valve-ranking/teams/event/8042

2025-08-06 13:45

Does Finland not teach about the difference between NA and Americas?

2025-08-06 13:00

1 reply

Bluejays and NRG are not SA, Imperial etc deserve their spots

2025-08-06 15:10

agreed. 18, 8, 6 feels more fair. fluxo/imperial/bluejays can fight it out for the 8th spot in americas, chinggis warriors and the huns for the 6th spot in asia, and nemiga and big can get invited to the major as well as nrg for NA just to bottle it again LOL. truth be told, oceania and the americas (minus brazil) are struggling right now. m80 is the only team on the up-and-up in NA, flyquest has looked alright, but have growing pains. asia (minus oceania) looks to be on the up-and-up, which is nice!

2025-08-06 14:09

1 reply

Damn Winterfox flair. A rare sight.

2025-08-06 16:50

Maybe EU teams should try winning at the major to take those 2 spots back? The Americas only have 6 guaranteed spots not 10.

2025-08-06 14:46

So all tier 3 teams have no chance to earn money unless they sell their soul to Betting sites or start to throw matches. Nice change Valve! You go girl!

2025-08-06 12:45

2025-08-06 14:59

should be more spots for EU -2 spots for Na - 1 for Asia

2025-08-06 15:16

1 reply

cry

2025-08-06 16:14

NiP 14 EU, W

2025-08-06 16:23

EU didnt gain more than 16 slot because your stupid Ukraine/Ruski team lose againts Americas/APAC team glad to see B8 eliminated by Lynn Vision to shut up them said team outside EU play without system and barbarian.

2025-08-06 16:26

How tf is Iberian Soul predicted to make it through?

2025-08-06 16:41

7 replies

Good LAN farming

2025-08-06 17:19

6 replies

When did they even play a LAN?

2025-08-06 17:20

5 replies

Epic.LAN and that Roman LAN. Tier 2 LANs is the theme of this season

2025-08-06 17:21

By winning Local Lans and local events. They won the following tournaments since June 11th. OMEN Roman Imperium Cup 1 ($2,937) - Portugese Lan - Saw was highest ranked team there. Intel Epic45 ($2,380) - UK Lan Iberian Soul was highest ranked team there Exort The Proving Grounds Season 2 (online) ($41,025) - Pasion UA, Ence, Pariviion were here Galaxy Battle Phase 3 Online ($25,000) - Parivision, TNL, Astum were teams ranked top 40 there. Things like this is why Navi Javelins were rated so high at the beginning of VRS. They won the female tournaments and prize money was ( and might still be) big factor in VRS standings.

2025-08-06 17:30

3 replies

That's just really dumb. They should not count local LAN wins into VRS unless they feature multiple top 30-50 VRS ranked teams..

2025-08-06 17:41

2 replies

I think events have teirs, Tier 1 tier 2 tier 3, or Stier, A tier and B tier. They all count different. Lan wins count more than online wins I think. I thought I read somewhere for a team to even get ranked in the VRS they had to have 10 lan wins. That why NIP was playing local lans to get their 10 wins to get ranked to then climb. Just seems completely asinine that a team like Iberian Soul who isnt playing at Cologne or any of the S tier tourneys wins a bunch of local tier 2 tier 3 tourneys and are projected be at the major with a higher rank than Falcons, Heroic, Nip, Betboom, and teams like VP, Liquid, Ecstatic, B8, Nemiga, Passion UA all miss out. just doesn't make sense.

2025-08-06 17:55

1 reply

Thats why MRQs were a good thing still. Teams that grind lower level tourneys get to get their ranking up to play for a chance to the major. Still has that open/closed quali to get to RMR feel, but does not screw over or reward teams with a system that while ever changing still has flaws.

2025-08-06 17:56

NA teams are the most benefited as always, I don't understand how "bluejays" are better than 9z, sharks, oddik, bestia and red canids. anyways, I miss RMRs

2025-08-06 17:38

Split SA and NA spots. NA bots getting free pass always

2025-08-06 17:51

Astralis finally goes to the major after 5 fails

2025-08-06 18:02

I'm confused, so is everything determined by VRS Ranking Now? Even the Stage 1 Spots?

2025-08-06 19:07

2 replies

yes :/ no more rmr-mrq

2025-08-06 19:21

1 reply

Shame, really liked the way they did it for Austin, was cool seeing all the qualifiers especially for Asia getting China, Mongolia, Oceania, slots, felt kinda like a mini world cup with matches we don't normally see. Now it's just rinse and repeat

2025-08-06 20:24