Team Vitality concluded one of the most successful seasons in Counter-Strike history on Sunday, defeating FaZe Clan 3-1 to win the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. This victory marks the organization’s second Major title of the year and its third Major championship in the past three seasons, reinforcing its position as a dominant force in the competitive scene.
The triumph in Budapest adds to a growing list of accolades for the French organization in 2025, bringing its total to nine international titles across Counter-Strike 2 competitions. This achievement also signifies the first time since 2019 that a team has won two Major tournaments in a single season, highlighting Vitality’s sustained excellence at the highest level of play.
Having previously captured the BLAST.tv Austin Major in June, Vitality entered Budapest as one of the tournament favorites, a status they validated throughout the event. The team showcased a combination of disciplined map control and consistent individual performances, successfully navigating a highly competitive field.
Central to this success was Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, who was named Major Most Valuable Player. This marks the third time in his career that he has received this honor, further solidifying his case as one of the most accomplished players in Counter-Strike history.
Vitality advanced to the playoffs with a 3-1 record in the opening stage before securing a 2-0 victory over The MongolZ in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, they faced Team Spirit, a Russian squad known for its formidable prowess. Vitality triumphed in the series 2-0, with a comeback victory on Mirage proving to be a pivotal moment.
The grand final on Sunday attracted more than 20,000 spectators at the Budapest Arena, with a global audience tuning in online. While FaZe Clan managed to secure one map in the best-of-five series, Vitality maintained control across the remaining games to clinch the championship.
Beyond Major titles, Vitality’s impressive 2025 season featured an ESL Grand Slam victory and a remarkable 30-match winning streak earlier in the year. The team also garnered multiple end-of-year honors, receiving Esports Team of the Year awards from both The Game Awards and the Esports Awards.
With the Budapest Major trophy, Vitality closes out 2025 at the pinnacle of the Counter-Strike 2 world rankings, entering 2026 as the benchmark for competitive excellence in the game.
