The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, the first Counter-Strike 2 Major in North America, was a chance for NA teams to shine on home soil. Instead, it became a stage for Asia to prove they’re now the second-best region in CS2, behind only Europe. Stage 1 saw all three North American teams – Complexity, NRG, and Wildcard – crash out, while Asia’s teams outperformed expectations. With two Asian teams advancing to Stage 2 and none finishing last, this article explores how Asia’s rapid growth has outpaced the struggling NA scene, using Stage 1 results as proof.

Stage 1 results: North America’s collapse

Stage 1 featured a 16-team Swiss System, with the top 8 advancing to Stage 2 and the bottom 8 eliminated. North America’s performance was a disaster, as all three NA teams failed to qualify:

• Complexity (1-3): Expected to lead NA, they beat only Fluxo (1-0) but lost to OG, NRG (9-13), and TYLOO (0-2). The absence of star AWPer Håkon "hallzerk" Fjærli, due to visa issues, crippled them.
• NRG (2-3): Despite Nicholas "nitr0" Cannella’s experience, NRG lost to HEROIC, OG (0-2), and Lynn Vision (0-2), showing no fight.
• Wildcard (2-3): They beat Lynn Vision (19-17) but fell to B8, BetBoom, and Legacy (0-2), exiting early.

Asia’s breakthrough: A new powerhouse

In contrast, Asia’s teams proved their strength. All four Asian squads – TYLOO, Lynn Vision, FlyQuest, and Chinggis Warriors – avoided the bottom spot, with two reaching Stage 2:

• TYLOO (3-2): They stunned FlyQuest (2-1) and Complexity (2-0)
• Lynn Vision (3-2): They beat Legacy, Chinggis Warriors, and NRG (2-0), securing a Stage 2 spot. 
• FlyQuest (2-3): were better than Fluxo and BetBoom but could hold the 2-0 advantage.
• Chinggis Warriors (1-3): Major debutants, they beat Fluxo (2-1) and finished 1-3, ahead of Fluxo’s last place.

Unlike NA, Asia had no team finish last, and TYLOO and Lynn Vision’s top-8 finishes underscored their growth. The MongolZ, already in Stage 3, further boost Asia’s reputation as a top-5 global team.

Why North America failed

The NA CS2 scene is in dire straits. Few LAN tournaments, low audience interest, and a lack of new teams and organizations stifle growth. South America, while struggling, fared better. Legacy’s advancement and Brazil’s active scene, with teams like FURIA, paiN and MIBR in Stage 2, show more life than NA. However, their overall results pale compared to Asia’s rise.

Asia’s rise: The new number two

Asia’s success at Stage 1 signals their emergence as CS2’s second-best region. The MongolZ, a top-5 team, have led the charge, reaching playoffs at the Shanghai Major 2024 and winning smaller events. Their success has sparked growth in Mongolia, with new teams and players emerging. China’s scene is also thriving, with TYLOO and Lynn Vision showing high skill. Regular LAN tournaments in Mongolia and China, plus rising teams like JiJieHao from the Middle East, fuel this progress. Asia’s teams are improving but still face challenges against top European rosters. Yet, their Stage 1 performance – outshining NA and most of South America – proves their rapid development.

Conclusion

The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 Stage 1 was a wake-up call. North America’s complete wipeout exposed a stagnant scene with few tournaments and little momentum. Meanwhile, Asia’s teams, led by TYLOO and Lynn Vision, showed they’re ready to compete with the best, cementing their status as CS2’s top-2 region behind Europe. The MongolZ’s presence in Stage 3 and Asia’s growing LAN scene signal a bright future.