At the crowning Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) esports event of the year, the first three stages of competition have delivered electrifying plays and upsets aplenty, resulting in many failed Pick’Ems.

If you have no clue what to do about those StarLadder Budapest Major playoffs stage Pick’Ems, never fear. We’ll explain which challenges must be completed and share our best guesses.

Best Budapest Major Playoffs Pick’Em Choices

First up, check out our guide to getting the Diamond Coin, including all the Pick’Em challenges that Viewer Pass holders must attempt to complete. Instead of two challenges per stage as in the previous three stages, there are four to complete in the playoffs.

• Place all seven (7) Pick’Em predictions for the playoffs stage before it begins. 
• Get two (2) correct Pick’Em predictions for the quarterfinals.
• Get one (1) correct Pick’Em prediction for the semifinals.
• Get one (1) correct Pick’Em prediction for the grand final.

The first one is easiest: just make your Pick’Em predictions and lock them in before the first matches begin. You have until 04:00 PT on December 11, 2025, before the playoffs stage Pick’Ems close. That’s 12:00 GMT (midday) for those in the UK/Europe.

Please note: To make these predictions, we conducted diligent research, taking into consideration the latest statistics, our gut feeling, and CS2 betting odds. There is no guarantee that these playoffs Pick’Ems will be accurate, and as such, we recommend making your own or copying us at your own risk. 

Budapest Major Quarterfinals Pick’Ems

If the Team Falcons superstar core of Nikola “NiKo” Kovač, Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov, and Maksim “kyousuke” Lukin can continue to power up, there’s a solid chance they can beat Team Spirit. 

Team Vitality should take care of The MongolZ, while FURIA is on top form, going into the NAVI match as the clear favorite. Lastly, we predict that MOUZ will put an end to FaZe Clan’s heroic run.

• Team Falcons beats Team Spirit
• Team Vitality beats The MongolZ
• FURIA beats NAVI
• MOUZ beats FaZe Clan

Budapest Major Semifinals Pick’Ems

With momentum on their side, Team Falcons could deny Team Vitality back-to-back Major Championship grand final appearances. On the other side of the bracket, we think Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo will lead his team to eliminate MOUZ.

• Team Falcons beats Team Vitality
• FURIA beats MOUZ

Budapest Major Grand Final Pick’Ems

Any team that makes it to the grand final has a good chance of winning it all. Keep in mind that the huge format change means that for the first time in Major Championship history, the grand final is best-of-five.

Our prediction sees Team Falcons finally live up to their potential as a superteam to lift the trophy, denying favorites FURIA their fourth consecutive top-tier event win. It’s a bold prediction. If the superstars of Team Falcons can find peak form, the sky’s the limit.

StarLadder Budapest Major’s playoffs stage runs from December 11 to 14, taking place at the incredible MVM Dome venue in the capital of Hungary. 

Watch all the top-tier CS2 esports action live via the tournament organizer’s Twitch, YouTube, and Kick channels. Don’t worry, the broadcast issues experienced in Stage 1 have been resolved, so we expect a smooth viewing experience.