CS2: Valve Announces First BO5 Major Grand Final in Budapest
Sheep Esports brings you expert analysis and breaking news from the League of Legends Esports scene. As the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 approaches, it becomes clear that this event is more than just the fourth Major in the Counter-Strike 2 era.
Valve revealed on Tuesday that the grand final will be the first in Counter-Strike history to feature a best-of-five (BO5) format, a change long awaited by the community. Until now, both Valve and tournament organizers have reserved best-of-three (BO3) matches for finals, despite evidence from the wider esports circuit that BO5 finals maintain strong audience engagement.
Viewership Trends Supporting BO5 Finals
Recent statistics highlight the appeal of longer finals:
- IEM Cologne 2024, not a Major but traditionally concluding with a BO5 final, reached a peak of 1,051,810 concurrent viewers.
- IEM Katowice 2025 set a new standard with 1.29 million peak viewers during its Team Vitality vs. Team Spirit BO5 final.
These ESL events, distinct from Valve Majors, show that extended series can effectively hold large audiences.
Comparing Majors and ESL Event Viewership
| Event | Peak Concurrent Viewers | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Last CS:GO Major (Paris 2023) | 1.53 million | BO3 final |
| First CS2 Major (Copenhagen) | 1.85 million | BO3 final |
| IEM Cologne 2024 | 1.05 million | BO5 final |
| IEM Katowice 2025 | 1.29 million | BO5 final |
Implications of the Switch to BO5
This pattern shows that longer series do not discourage viewers, especially when the stakes are high and top teams compete. Valve’s decision aligns well with CS2’s gameplay adjustment to MR12, making Budapest 2025’s BO5 final a logical next step.
"Until now, Valve and tournament organizers have consistently reserved BO3 for the title-deciding match, even as the rest of the circuit has shown that BO5 grand finals can comfortably retain audiences."
"IEM Cologne 2024, which is not a Major but traditionally ends with a BO5, surpassed the one-million mark with 1,051,810 peak concurrent viewers for its final."
Valve’s move to a BO5 grand final marks a historic milestone and could redefine competitive standards in Counter-Strike esports.
Author’s summary: Valve’s shift to a BO5 grand final at Budapest 2025 reflects evolving viewership trends, promising heightened excitement as CS2 enters a new competitive phase with longer, more engaging matches.