North America’s biggest CS2 event of the year is heading into its final and most decisive stage. Stage 3 of the BLAST.tv Austin CS2 Major is almost here — where every round, every peek, and every clutch could make the difference between Major immortality and utter heartbreak.
Whether you’ve been watching since Stage 1 or you’re just tuning in now, this is the moment where CS2 history is written. And Refrag has your back with key matchups, important dates, and even a cheeky free trial.
CS2 Austin Major Stage 3 Important Dates
June 12th, 2025 – 11:00 EST (15:00 UTC) – Start of Stage 3 and Playoffs
Location: Austin, Texas — live crowd, high stakes
Match to watch: Aurora vs. FaZe
Refrag’s own EliGE and the rest of FaZe are set to square off against the scorching Turkish side in Aurora. To this point, frozen and EliGE have led the way, posting 1.30 and 1.13 ratings respectively. Aurora qualified to Stage 3 via their performance at the prior Major, but after a strong showing at IEM Dallas, they’re not to be taken lightly.
CS2 Austin Major Players to Watch – Stage 3
| Player | Team | HLTV Rating (last 3 months) |
| ZywOo | Team Vitality | 1.36 |
| s1mple | FaZe | 1.09 |
| FL1T | Virtus.pro | 1.11 |
FaZe Clan
FaZe enter the playoffs with a slightly favorable bracket. They open against The MongolZ—a capable but inconsistent team at this level—and would then face the winner of paiN vs FURIA. While neither Brazilian squad should be underestimated, FaZe avoid many of the tournament’s top contenders until a potential final. s1mple adding a second Major to his trophy cabinet could sew serious doubt in the minds of ZywOo GOAT believers.
Team Vitality
Vitality are arguably the most complete team in the bracket, but their path is more demanding. They start with Natus Vincere, and a win there likely sets up a semi-final against either MOUZ or Spirit—both of whom have the firepower and structure to challenge them. While Vitality remain a top contender, their side of the bracket presents more potential roadblocks.
Team Spirit
Spirit have shown consistent form throughout the event, topping Stage 3 with a 3–0 record. They’ll face MOUZ in the quarter-final—a difficult but very winnable matchup for donk and company. If they can advance, a likely clash with Vitality looms. Should they overcome that, they’d be serious finalists. Spirit’s chances hinge on that potential Vitality matchup.
MOUZ
MOUZ have looked solid, but they face a tough draw starting with Spirit. Their young roster is mechanically strong, and their recent results suggest upward momentum, but they’ll need to hit peak form quickly to break through a challenging bracket.
The MongolZ
The MongolZ have impressed with their aggressive style and improved structure, but facing FaZe in the quarter-final will be a steep challenge. Their chances hinge on whether they can disrupt FaZe’s pacing early and make the most of their opening map pick. They’re no strangers to ruining Pick ‘Ems, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens again this time around.
paiN Gaming
paiN enter as underdogs but have shown resilience in earlier stages. Their match against FURIA is a regional rivalry that could go either way. While their ceiling isn’t as high as some playoff teams, an upset here could set up valuable international experience in a semifinal.
FURIA
FURIA are the more established of the two Brazilian squads and carry more big-match experience. Their aggressive tendencies can throw off opponents, but consistency remains a concern. If they get past paiN and face FaZe, they’ll need to elevate both coordination and discipline.
BLAST.tv CS2 Austin Major Stage 3 FAQ
What format is Stage 3 of the Austin Major?
Stage 3 begins with the same Swiss group-play of prior stages, but this time, teams with 3 wins go on to to play in single-elim bracket play, and teams with 3 losses go home. All matches in bracket play are best-of-three.
Where can I watch Stage 3?
Catch the action live on Twitch, YouTube, or BLAST.tv. Local viewing parties may also be available — check social channels for announcements.
Train Like the Pros — For Free
Want to sharpen your aim, perfect your utility, or prep for your own playoff run? Refrag is offering a free 7-day trial for the duration of the Austin Major. Whether you’re grinding ranked or just looking to level up your mechanics, now’s the perfect time to see why so many pros rely on Refrag for their training.
Go to https://refrag.gg/major to claim your 7-day free trial. Be fast, it’s only available until the end of the Austin Major!
