Team Vitality Crowned Champions at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

The European squad defeated FaZe Clan 3–1 in the grand final to secure the prestigious title. This victory is Team Vitality’s, who are sponsored by Stake.com, second Major championship of 2025 after winning the BLAST.tv Austin Major in June.

Moreover, it is their third Major trophy in three years, a feat that firmly cements Vitality’s legacy among Counter-Strike’s all-time greats. It also marks the first time since 2019 that a team has won back-to-back CS Majors, underscoring the historic nature of Vitality’s achievement.

Team Vitality arrived in Budapest as one of the favorites, and they lived up to their billing with a dominant run through the tournament. After advancing through the group stages with a 3–1 record, the Stake-sponsored squad stormed through the playoffs without dropping a map until the final. Key results on Team Vitality’s path to the grand final included:

This dominant march to the finals showcased Team Vitality’s depth and resilience. The team carried immense momentum and confidence into the championship match.

The grand final on December 14, 2025 in Budapest was a best-of-five showdown pitting Vitality against FaZe Clan, an American organization that had defied expectations to reach the final. 

In front of a roaring crowd of over 20,000 spectators at the Budapest arena, and with more than 1.5 million concurrent viewers tuning in online, Vitality overcame an early stumble to triumph in style. FaZe came out strong on the opening map Nuke, winning 13–6 and drawing first blood. 

However, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and company roared back immediately. Vitality dominated FaZe 13–3 on Dust2 to swing momentum in their favor. From there, apEX’s squad never let up, clinching Inferno 13–9 and then dismantling FaZe on Overpass 13–2 to seal the series 3–1. 

This final was notably the first-ever Major to feature a best-of-five title match, a change that delivered an even more comprehensive victory for Vitality and a boost in viewership for the event.

With their emphatic grand final performance, Team Vitality finished the 2025 season unbeaten at Major tournaments, having won both CS2 Majors of the year without a single series loss. 

The Budapest triumph was Vitality’s ninth international title of 2025, capping what many are calling one of the greatest seasons in Counter-Strike history. Along with the championship glory, Vitality earned a $500,000 first-place prize from the tournament’s $1.25 million prize pool. 

FaZe Clan settled for the $170,000 runner-up prize, as Vitality once again proved themselves a level above the competition.

Team Vitality’s success in Budapest was a true team effort, built on a roster of superstar talent and veteran leadership. The lineup spans multiple countries and combines raw skill with experience. Below are the five players who delivered this Major title, each with their own standout contributions:

This star-studded roster, guided by coach Rémy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam, exemplified synergy and high-level skill. Each player had moments of brilliance throughout the event, and together they proved an unbeatable combination on Counter-Strike’s biggest stage.

2025 will be remembered as a historic year for Team Vitality. The Budapest Major title was the team’s ninth international trophy of the year, a haul that included two Major championships and victories at several other elite events. 

During this dominant run, Vitality also clinched the Intel Grand Slam and set a record with a 30-match win streak, underlining their status as the era’s defining team. This dominant streak earned them multiple honors off the server as well: Vitality was named Esports Team of the Year, and ZywOo earned titles like Player of the Year and even Player of the Decade at industry awards.

Crucially, this competitive success has also been a triumph for the partnership between Team Vitality and Stake.com. Stake, a leading online betting platform, became Vitality’s official international betting partner in mid-2025, signing a multi-year sponsorship deal with the team. 

The Stake logo has featured prominently on Team Vitality’s jerseys throughout the tournament. This collaboration couldn’t have been timed better – it launched just as Vitality embarked on an unprecedented period of success, including the back-to-back Major wins in Austin and Budapest. 

For Stake, having its brand associated with the world’s top Counter-Strike team is a huge milestone. The partnership has been celebrated on both sides, with Stake promising to support Vitality’s continued rise through exclusive content and fan experiences. This includes a 200% up to $3,000 esports betting bonus for new customers who sign up with our Stake.com promo code.

In the end, Team Vitality’s commanding victory at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is a testament to their hard work, talent, and strategic brilliance. It also highlights the positive impact of strong partnerships, with Stake.com proudly backing the team every step of the way. 

As the dust settles in Budapest, Vitality stands undisputed as the No. 1 Counter-Strike team in the world, and their era of dominance shows no signs of fading. This championship not only caps off an extraordinary year for the Stake-sponsored Team Vitality but also sets the stage for even greater ambitions in 2026.