With the highly anticipated Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) content update for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 out now, it’s time to discuss the primary feature of the Viewer Pass. That’s right, if you want to get the Diamond Coin for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, keep reading.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Pick’Em challenges, cutoff dates, and how to upgrade your event coin. We’ll wrap up with our expert predictions to consider for your Stage 1 Pick’Ems—the first big step on your way to the coveted Diamond Coin.

How To Unlock StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Pick’Ems

We are just going to pull off the Band-Aid right now: You’ll need to open your wallet to unlock the StarLadder Budapest Major Pick’Ems. Specifically, you’ll have to buy a Viewer Pass for $9.99.

Once you’ve purchased the Viewer Pass, activate it via your inventory, and you are good to go. If you want to make predictions without opening your wallet, you can always use BLAST.tv’s Budapest Major Simulator. It’s completely free and easy to use. 

CS2 players also have the option to purchase a Viewer Pass + 3 Souvenir Tokens for $17.99. Furthermore, Sticker Capsules are $0.99 each, and Souvenir Tokens go for $2.99 each.

All StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Pick’Em Challenges

Knowledge is power, so the first step is learning precisely what is required from each of the 11 Pick’Em Challenges. We’ve outlined the requirements for success below.

• Activate your coin before the tournament is over.
• Place all ten (10) Pick’Em predictions for Stage 1 before it begins.
• Get five (5) correct Pick’Em predictions for Stage 1.
• Place all ten (10) Pick’Em predictions for Stage 2 before it begins.
• Get five (5) correct Pick’Em predictions for Stage 2.
• Place all ten (10) Pick’Em predictions for Stage 3 before it begins.
• Get five (5) correct Pick’Em predictions for Stage 3.
• 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.

In Stages 1 to 3, CS2 fans are tasked with picking two teams they think will go flawless in the Swiss-system format with 3–0 records, and two teams that won’t win a single match for 0–3 records. The remaining six selections predict which teams will advance to the next stage with 3–1 and 3–2 records.

The Playoffs Stage Pick’Ems are self-explanatory, requiring you to predict the winner’s path through the single-elimination bracket.

How To Get Diamond Coin In StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

There are four levels to the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 event coin: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. The latter is, of course, the most sought-after for the purpose of bragging rights.

Everyone who has activated the Viewer Pass gains instant access to the Bronze Coin. With the item in your inventory, you get access to the Pick’Em challenges, Steam.tv chat flairs, and unlimited in-game graffiti opportunities for the duration of the tournament.

Check out the correct Pick’Em predictions required for each coin rarity outlined below.

• Bronze Coin – 1/11
• Silver Coin – 4/11
• Gold Coin – 8/11
• Diamond Coin – 11/11

The first step is to activate your Viewer Pass after purchase. To get the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Diamond Coin, you must pass every single one of the 11 Pick’Em challenges outlined in the previous section of this guide.

Best Diamond Coin Strategy 

Arguably, the best strategy for CS2 Major Pick’Ems over the years has been diligent research, considering matchup histories for teams in each stage, performances on LAN, and world rankings—or you can go with your gut feeling.

Heck, the Viewer Pass even has the option to “randomly fill empty picks” if you want to leave it entirely up to chance. There is no single “best Diamond Coin strategy,” as many upsets have occurred throughout the years at each stage of competition.

While upsets do occur, a solid option for Stage 2 and Stage 3 is to select teams from the 3–1 and 3–2 brackets that received direct invitations to a specific stage. For example, the eight teams invited to Stage 3 of the StarLadder Budapest Major are the strongest contenders in the world, according to the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) system.

Sounds simple enough, right? If you are good at making CS2 betting predictions, then it shouldn’t be too tricky! The only caveat is that you must lock in your Pick’Em choices for each stage of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 before their specific cutoff dates.

Pick’Em Cutoff Dates For StarLadder Budapest Major Stages

Missing the cutoff for Pick’Ems happens to the best of us. It’s an often-overlooked issue that many Counter-Strike fans face during a Major Championship.

The consequence of not making your Pick’Em predictions in time is that you won’t be able to get the Diamond Coin. Sufficiently inspired to make the best StarLadder Budapest Major Pick’Ems in a timely fashion? Good!

For your convenience, you’ll find the submission deadlines for each stage below.

• Stage 1 — November 24
• Stage 2 — November 29
• Stage 3 — December 4
• Playoffs Stage — December 11

The Pick’Em deadline time for each stage is roughly one hour before the first match of that stage begins. However, we strongly suggest locking in your Pick’Ems as soon as possible, ideally Stage 1 by November 23, Stage 2 by November 28, Stage 3 by December 3, and Playoffs Stage Pick’Ems by December 10.

Best StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 1 Pick’Ems

To get you off to a good start on their journey to the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Diamond Coin, we’ve got the best Stage 1 Pick’Em predictions to share. These choices were carefully curated, with diligent research at the forefront. 

3–0 Predictions For Stage 1:

• Ninjas in Pyjamas
• Legacy

0–3 Predictions For Stage 1: 

• The Huns
• RED Canids

3–1 and 3–2 Predictions For Stage 1:

• FaZe Clan
• NRG
• Fnatic
• GamerLegion
• Imperial Esports
• B8

Please note: The first stage of a Major Championship is exceptionally volatile. While we do think these are the best Pick’Em predictions to get at least five correct, anything can happen.

FAQs

Can I Change My StarLadder Budapest Major Pick’Ems?

Yes. You can change your Pick’Ems until the cutoff date and time for the respective StarLadder Budapest Major stage. Pick’Ems are generally locked one hour before the first match of a stage begins.

Is A Major Championship Diamond Coin Worth Anything?

Yes and no. While you cannot sell a Major Championship event coin for any monetary value, a Diamond Coin is a badge of honor to be displayed proudly on your CS2 profile—that alone makes it priceless.

Can I Get More StarLadder Budapest Major Souvenir Tokens?

Yes. Every time you upgrade your event coin, you get another Souvenir Token. You can also purchase additional Souvenir packages in-game for $2.99 each.

What Are Souvenir Tokens In CS2?

These digital Souvenir Tokens in your CS2 inventory allow you to select any match from the StarLadder Budapest Major and claim a weapon skin, with pre-applied map and team stickers. Rarity ranges from Industrial Grade to Covert. They cannot be used in Trade-Ups. 

What’s The Difference In Coin Rarity?

There is no real difference between Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond coins—they’re purely cosmetic. However, the Diamond Coin represents your mastery in CS2 esports predictions, so wear it proudly on your profile.

References

1. Counter-Strike 2 – The Starladder Budapest Major 2025 (Steam)
2. StarLadder Budapest CS2 Major 2025 Simulator (Blast)