North America’s second Major is heating up! Stage 1 has finished, and with it, many Pick ‘Ems are in the bin. Stage 2 of the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 is here, and is set to begin on June 7th. With a $1,250,000 prize pool and Major immortality on the line, every round, every peek, and every clutch matters more than ever. Whether you’re a diehard fan or a casual viewer, Refrag has you covered with everything you need to know heading into Stage 2 of the Austin Major.

Important Dates

• June 7th, 2025 – 11:00 EST (15:00 UTC) – Start of Stage 2
• June 12th, 2025 – 11:00 EST (15:00 UTC) – Start of Stage 3 and Playoffs

Match to Watch: FaZe vs. HEROIC
s1mple makes his CS2 major debut with FaZe, and while HEROIC may be piecing apart their team to the highest bidder, they’ve proven to be no slouch. SunPayus was one of 3 HEROIC players to top the rating charts with a 1.34 HLTV rating.

CS2 Austin Major Players to Watch – Stage 2

Player	Team	HLTV Rating (last 3 months)
NiKo	Falcons	1.12
s1mple	FaZe	1.11
nicoodoz	HEROIC	1.14

In Stage 1, nicoodoz’s trouncing of hometown heroes Complexity and NRG helped him top the rating tables with a 1.77. Next closest player was his HEROIC’s own tN1R, with a 1.40.

s1mple’s return to competitive play has been shaky, but he’s still one of the game’s biggest stage performers. When the pressure’s on, he shows up. Expect fireworks from the Ukrainian once Stage 2 of the Austin Major gets underway.

BLAST.tv CS2 Austin Major Stage 2 FAQ

What is Stage 2 of the Austin Major?
Stage 2 is the second phase of the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, featuring 16 teams who advanced from Stage 1. It’s another high-stakes Swiss-style format where teams must earn three wins to move on to Stage 3, while three losses send them home.

When does Stage 2 start?
Stage 2 officially kicks off on June 7th, 2025, at 11:00 EST (15:00 UTC).

How are teams seeded in Stage 2?
Stage 2 matchups are drawn using a combination of Swiss standings and Buchholz tiebreakers to ensure fair pairings throughout the round progression.

Are Stage 2 matches best-of-one or best-of-three?
Most matches are best-of-one, but any game that determines advancement or elimination is played as a best-of-three.

What’s at stake in Stage 2?
Teams that finish Stage 2 with three victories earn a place in Stage 3 (the final stage). Making it through not only brings a shot at the trophy, but also guarantees a higher share of the prize pool as well as valuable VRS points.

Can fans attend Stage 2 matches in person?
Stage 2 is played behind closed doors without a live audience, but matches will be broadcast across major streaming platforms with full analyst coverage and commentary.

Where can I watch Stage 2 games?
Matches are streamed live on BLAST.tv, Twitch, and YouTube.

Which teams are favored to go through Stage 2?
While the exact bracket is still in progress, teams like FaZe and Falcons have looked sharp and are expected to make deep runs.

How is Stage 2 different from Stage 1?
While both stages use the same Swiss format, Stage 2 typically features tighter matchups and higher stakes. The level of play intensifies as elimination draws closer.