The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 is heating up as Stage 2 kicks off from June 7 to June 10, 2025. After a lackluster Stage 1, where teams like Complexity crashed out with a 1-3 record, Stage 2 promises more exciting Counter-Strike 2 action. Here’s a preview of the format, opening matches, and key teams to watch, including Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev’s highly anticipated return.

Format

Stage 2 uses a 16-team Swiss System from June 7 to June 10, 2025. Rounds 2 to 5 are seeded using the Buchholz system and each team’s original seeding. Advancement and elimination games are Bo3, while all others are Bo1. The top 8 teams will move on to Stage 3. The bottom 8 are eliminated.

Opening matches

Stage 2 starts with thrilling matchups on June 7, 2025:

• Falcons (1.22) vs. B8 (3.80)
• FaZe (1.72) vs. HEROIC (2.00)
• 3DMAX (1.75) vs. BetBoom (1.95)
• Virtus.pro (1.80) vs. OG (1.90)
• paiN (1.72) vs. Nemiga (2.00)
• FURIA (1.35) vs. Lynn Vision (2.90)
• MIBR (1.80) vs. Legacy (1.90)
• M80 (2.00) vs. TYLOO (1.72)

These matches set the tone for Stage 2, with top teams looking to assert dominance early.  Odds are provided by Stake and are up to date at the time of publication.    

Key teams to watch

Falcons: The top favorites

Falcons are the team to beat, despite being seeded into Stage 2 due to an early Valve Global Standings snapshot, before their rise to top form and the addition of Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov from G2. As one of the few top-5 teams in Stage 2, they’re expected to breeze through, with their high skill level and recent roster boost making them a lock for Stage 3. Their matchup against B8 should be a formality, but Bo1s can be unpredictable.

FaZe and s1mple’s return

FaZe Clan draws massive attention with s1mple, one of CS:GO’s greatest players, returning for his first CS2 Major after joining on loan from Natus Vincere. FaZe struggled in 2025, but s1mple’s addition, replacing Helvijs "broky" Saukants, brings new hope. Fans are buzzing about his matchup against HEROIC, especially after s1mple called them “bots”. While it’s unclear how well s1mple will mesh, FaZe’s talent should carry them to Stage 3, though tough teams like HEROIC could test them early.

HEROIC: On a hot streak

HEROIC stormed through Stage 1 with a perfect 3-0 record, building on their strong showing at IEM Dallas 2025. Players like Linus "LNZ" Holtäng, Andrey "tN1R" Tatarinovich, and Alvaro "SunPayus" Garcia are in top form. Facing FaZe in Round 1 is a huge challenge, but HEROIC’s momentum makes them a contender for another deep run, possibly even a perfect Stage 2.

paiN: A question mark

paiN Gaming, a Brazilian team, enters Stage 2 with uncertainty. Their last match was May 13 at PGL Astana 2025, where they underperformed. With new player Franco "dgt" Garcia, paiN had time to fix mistakes, and their roster looks strong on paper. Their opening match against Nemiga, a less experienced team, is a chance to prove they can compete with Stage 2’s mid-tier squads. A good showing could push them toward Stage 3.

B8 and other underdogs

B8, led by Andrii "npl" Kukharskyi, surprised with a 3-0 Stage 1 run, but Stage 2’s tougher competition – Falcons, Virtus.pro, and others – will test them. Alongside TYLOO, BetBoom, Legacy, and OG, they’re fighting for the last Stage 3 spots. BetBoom stands out with their experienced roster, but B8’s aggressive “ape style,” as Vincent "vinS" Jozefiak noted in the Dust2.us interview, could cause upsets in Bo1s. Still, these teams face an uphill battle against stronger opponents like 3DMAX, FURIA, and MIBR, who have more consistent lineups.

Conclusion

Stage 2 of the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 is a step up from Stage 1, with top teams like Falcons and FaZe, featuring s1mple’s return, raising the stakes. HEROIC’s hot streak and paiN’s potential redemption add intrigue, while underdogs like B8 and BetBoom could surprise in Bo1s. The Swiss System’s mix of Bo1 and Bo3 matches ensures intense competition, with the top 8 advancing to face giants like Vitality and MOUZ in Stage 3.