CS2 – Road to BLAST.tv Major Austin: Qualifier Highlights

The road to the BLAST.tv Major: Austin 2025 is officially underway, with the RMR (Regional Major Ranking) qualifiers kicking off across the globe. As teams fight for a spot at the first CS2 Major of the year — and the first ever held in the United States — the action is already delivering intense upsets, breakout stars, and a few early favorites.

With the main event scheduled for June 3–22, 2025, in Austin, Texas, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The tournament will feature 32 teams and a $1.25 million prize pool, making these qualifiers some of the most competitive in recent CS history.

Early Standouts

Several teams have already made strong statements during their regional qualifiers:

• FaZe Clan looked sharp in the European qualifiers, with ropz and broky showing consistent form and veteran composure.

• Team Falcons, bolstered by recent signings including NiKo and the former HEROIC core, are quickly becoming one of the most talked-about lineups in the circuit.

• Complexity had a rocky start in the North American bracket, but managed to recover in key matches thanks to the performance of Grim and cxzi.

• In the CIS region, 1win continues to surprise — showing that their TI momentum in Dota may be rubbing off on their CS2 squad as well.

Format and Structure

The RMR format for the Austin Major remains similar to past Majors:

• Open Qualifiers → Closed Qualifiers → Regional RMR Events

• RMRs are broken down by region: Europe (2 groups), Americas, and Asia-Pacific

• Top-performing teams from each RMR will secure a spot in the main event in Austin

Each RMR features a Swiss-system format, giving teams multiple chances to fight their way through and reducing the risk of fluke eliminations early in the bracket.

Rising Talent and Dark Horses

One of the most exciting aspects of this qualifier cycle has been the emergence of new talent. Tier-2 European squads like BLEED and 3DMAX have been pushing top-tier teams to the edge, while several lesser-known NA lineups — including newly formed collegiate teams — are making surprising runs in the open brackets.

These stories serve as a reminder of what makes CS2 so compelling: even the smallest underdog has the tools to challenge giants.

Looking Ahead

With RMR events running through March, all eyes are now on the final seeding and qualification matches. As more teams lock in their spots, fans are already circling June on their calendars. The return of a North American-hosted Major — the first since Boston 2018 — adds extra fuel to an already stacked competitive year.

The road to Austin is heating up, and for teams still grinding through the qualifier gauntlet, every round, every eco, and every clutch matters.