Valve Teases Best-of-Five Grand Finals for Future CS2 Majors Following back-to-back five-map thrillers, Valve hints that Counter-Strike Majors could soon feature a best-of-five format

It looks like Valve may be ready to shake up the most important stage in Counter-Strike history.

Following the electrifying conclusion of PGL Masters Bucharest, where Aurora outlasted Legacy in a five-map showdown, the official Counter-Strike X account appeared to tease the introduction of best-of-five Major finals.

So far, every one of the 24 Counter-Strike Majors — dating back to the CS:GO era — has used a best-of-three grand final. But with CS2’s new MR12 round format leading to faster games, many fans and pros have called for longer finals to maintain high-stakes tension.

🧨 The Case for Best-of-Five Finals

The latest push for BO5 finals began after content creator Ozzny urged Valve to adopt the format following the Legacy vs. Aurora finale in Bucharest.

The match itself was instant-classic material:

Aurora jumped to a 2–0 series lead.
Legacy mounted a stunning comeback to even the score 2–2.
The final map ended 13–11, with Aurora narrowly securing their first LAN title.

The marathon battle captivated the community, reigniting the debate around extending finals to five maps.

Adding more fuel to the discussion, the FURIA vs. NAVI showdown just weeks earlier delivered another five-map thriller. FURIA pulled off a legendary reverse sweep after dropping the first two maps — crushing the decider 13–1 to seal victory.

🕹️ Valve’s Response: A Playful Tease

When Ozzny shared his plea for BO5 Major finals, the official @CounterStrike account responded with a cheeky GIF, instantly setting the scene ablaze with speculation.

While Valve hasn’t made any official confirmation, the timing of the post — following two back-to-back five-map epics — suggests the developers are paying attention to community sentiment.

🏆 What This Means for Future Majors

If the shift happens, the Starladder Budapest Major 2025 could be the first to feature the new format. The event kicks off November 24, with grand finals set for December 14.

For now, Valve has kept the official match format under wraps — but fans are already envisioning what a BO5 Major final could bring:

More tactical depth
Greater comeback potential
A true test of endurance and map pool mastery

“With MR12 making matches faster, a BO5 final might be the perfect evolution for CS2 Majors,” one community post read.

🔥 Final Thoughts

Counter-Strike thrives on its rivalries, comebacks, and grand moments — and best-of-five finals could make those moments even bigger.

With two unforgettable BO5s in recent weeks and Valve teasing the idea publicly, it’s clear the conversation has shifted from “if” to “when.”

Whether or not Budapest becomes the first Major to adopt the format, one thing is certain — fans are ready for longer, higher-stakes championship series in CS2.