Patryk Stachowiak
April 18, 2025 — The final pieces of the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 puzzle have fallen into place. With spirited displays of resilience and skill, NRG and BESTIA have emerged triumphant in their respective regional qualifiers, etching their names into the storied annals of Counter-Strike.
BESTIA: A Historic Milestone for Argentine Esports
For the first time in Major history, an organization with a predominantly Argentine lineup will grace the grand stage. BESTIA’s journey was one of redemption and grit. After a disheartening 0-2 loss to Fluxo in their opening match of the South America Regional Qualifier, Nicolás “Noktse” Dávila and his team found themselves on the brink of elimination.
Yet from the depths of the lower bracket, they rallied. The squad carved a path through RED Canids, Sharks, and Legacy, not merely surviving but thriving under pressure. Their commanding 2-0 victory over Legacy — dominating Mirage 13-8 and dismantling Inferno 13-5 — sealed their place at the Austin Major.
This monumental qualification marks BESTIA’s first-ever Major appearance, both as an organization and for each of its five players, a testament to the relentless passion brewing in South America’s competitive scene.
NRG: A Return to the Global Stage
Meanwhile, across the Americas, NRG’s path to qualification was no less dramatic. After a surprising loss to Wildcard, Nick “nitr0” Cannella’s men were thrust into a single-elimination gauntlet where only victory would suffice.
The journey was anything but straightforward. Dropping a map to Getting Info, NRG had to dig deep. Behind the clinical performances of Danish import Alexander “br0” Bro and rising star Jeorge “Jeorge” Endicott, they mounted a resurgence, clinching the series and advancing to their final opportunity.
There, they faced BLUEJAYS. A swift 13-4 victory on Train followed by a nerve – wracking overtime win on Dust2 propelled them back to the global spotlight. The Austin Major will be NRG’s third Major appearance, and the first for both br0 and Jeorge, symbolizing a new era for the storied American team.
The Final Team Lineup: A Celebration of Global Talent
With NRG and BESTIA joining the fray, the 32 contenders for the BLAST.tv Austin Major are now confirmed. From European juggernauts like Vitality and MOUZ, to rising challengers such as The MongolZ and Chinggis Warriors, the stage is set for a truly global clash.
Stage 3: Vitality, MOUZ, Spirit, G2, Aurora, The MongolZ, Natus Vincere, Liquid
Stage 2: Falcons, FaZe, 3DMAX, Virtus.pro, paiN, FURIA, MIBR, M80
Stage 1: Complexity, OG, B8, HEROIC, Nemiga, Wildcard, BetBoom, Metizport, Imperial, FlyQuest, Chinggis Warriors, Fluxo, TYLOO, Lynn Vision, BESTIA, NRG
The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 promises to be a defining moment in Counter-Strike history — a stage where legends will rise, underdogs will defy expectations, and nations will rally behind their heroes.