With 32 teams battling for a $1,250,000 prize pool and championship glory, the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 is shaping up to be the defining CS2 tournament of the summer. As the competitive scene descends upon Texas for North America first Major since 2018, several compelling narratives are emerging that will define this prestigious competition.
The Return of s1mple: CS2 GOAT Takes on a New Challenge

The Counter-Strike world was stunned when FaZe Clan announced they had acquired Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev on loan from Natus Vincere. This blockbuster move sent shockwaves through the community, as one of the greatest players of all time steps in to replace long-time FaZe AWPer Helvijs "broky" Saukants.
"This is an all-in move. We are going for the trophy at the Major even if Sasha is only a stand-in."
— Finn "karrigan" Andersen, FaZe Clan IGL
A Legends Comeback Story
S1mple journey over the past year and a half has been anything but straightforward. After taking a break from competitive play in late 2023, his appearances have been limited to brief loan stints with Team Falcons. His most recent competitive appearance came in November 2024, when Falcons failed to qualify for the Shanghai Major.
This last-minute loan to FaZe represents a crucial moment in s1mple storied career. At 27 years old, questions have emerged about whether the Ukrainian superstar can recapture his dominant CS form in the CS2 era. His move to FaZe creates one of the most talent-packed lineups in recent history, but with minimal practice time before the Major, can they translate individual skill into team success?
The FaZe Gamble
For FaZe, bringing in s1mple is a high-risk, high-reward move. The organization has struggled throughout 2025, with disappointing results at IEM Katowice, BLAST Open Spring, and IEM Melbourne. The decision to bench broky after nearly six years with the organization wasn't taken lightly, but FaZe clearly felt a dramatic change was necessary.
This storyline has extra spice as s1mple reunites with Jonathan "EliGE" Jablonowski—the two briefly played together on Team Liquid back in 2016, reaching the finals of ESL One Cologne that year. The chemistry between these stars, along with karrigan leadership, could determine whether FaZe returns to championship form.
FURIA YEKINDAR Experiment: A South American-European Hybrid

Another major roster change heading into Austin involves Brazilian powerhouse FURIA. The team has benched João "skullz" Teixeira and brought in Latvian star Mareks "YEKINDAR" Gaļinskis as a stand-in through the end of the Major.
This move represents FURIA first venture into an international roster after years of maintaining all-Brazilian lineups. YEKINDAR, known for his aggressive entry fragging and site takes, brings a completely different dynamic to the FURIA system.
The communication challenges alone make this an intriguing experiment. Will YEKINDAR experience and firepower outweigh potential language barriers? Can FURIA tactical system accommodate his aggressive playstyle on such short notice? The answers could reshape the South American CS2 landscape moving forward.
Key Factors in FURIA International Experiment
- Communication challenges: YEKINDAR English is strong, but FURIA has traditionally communicated in Portuguese
- Playstyle adaptation: YEKINDAR aggressive entry style must mesh with FURIA system
- Limited practice time: Only two weeks to integrate before the Major begins
- Future implications: Success could lead to more international South American rosters
Teams Seeking Redemption
Several top-tier organizations enter the Austin Major desperately needing a strong result to salvage disappointing 2025 campaigns:
G2 Esports: Reloaded with Firepower
G2 has brought in Polish AWPer Michał "hades" Hać on loan from Monte ahead of the Major. The move comes after months of inconsistent results that have seen the European powerhouse drop precipitously in the world rankings. The organization that dominated much of 2024 is now fighting to remain relevant in tier-one competition.
With NiKo still leading the charge and new blood in the roster, G2 is hoping for a tournament run that could reignite their championship aspirations. The question remains whether this emergency roster change can provide enough of a spark.
Complexity: North American Pride
As one of the leading North American representatives, Complexity enters the Major with enormous pressure. Playing on home soil in Texas creates both opportunity and expectation for the squad. After several promising but ultimately disappointing international showings in early 2025, this is their chance to prove North America can still compete at the highest level of Counter-Strike.
With the region CS2 scene struggling to maintain relevance against European and Asian competition, a deep Complexity run would inject vital energy into the North American scene.
Veterans Last Dance?
The Austin Major could potentially be the final Major appearance for several legendary players who have defined Counter-Strike for years:
Karrigan Quest for Redemption
At 35 years old, FaZe in-game leader Finn "karrigan" Andersen is nearing the end of his competitive journey. After an inconsistent 2025, he's hoping the addition of s1mple can help him claim one last Major title before potentially stepping away from competition.
Despite a decorated career spanning over a decade, karrigan hunger for success remains undiminished. His partnership with s1mple represents a fascinating clash of leadership styles and individual brilliance.
Rain Continued Legacy
Håvard "rain" Nygaard has been with FaZe since 2016, making him one of the organization's longest-serving players. After nearly a decade at the top level, questions about his future persist. The Austin Major could be a defining tournament for the Norwegian veteran.
Vitality Dominance: Can Anyone Stop Them?

While individual roster moves dominate headlines, Team Vitality looms over the entire tournament as the team to beat. The European superteam has been unstoppable in 2025, winning five consecutive tournaments and establishing a dominant era.
The addition of Robin "ropz" Kool (formerly of FaZe) has transformed Vitality into a seemingly unstoppable force. Their streak includes a historic 25-match win record and the ESL Grand Slam Season 5 title with its $1 million prize.
Vitality 2025 Dominance in Numbers
5
Consecutive tournament wins
25-0
Match win streak (ongoing)
$1.5M+
Prize money in 2025
1.32
ZywOo 2025 rating
Led by Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut individual brilliance, Vitality enters Austin as the overwhelming favorite. The question isn't just who will win the Major, but whether anyone can even challenge Vitality supremacy.
First North American Major Since 2018
Beyond team storylines, the Austin Major represents the triumphant return of Major championship Counter-Strike to North American soil. The last North American Major was ELEAGUE Boston in 2018, which saw Cloud9 become the first (and still only) North American team to win a Major.
Hosting the event at the state-of-the-art Moody Center in Austin brings CS2 to a passionate Texas fanbase. With a reported 40,000 fans expected to attend the playoffs over four days, the atmosphere promises to be electric.

Conclusion
As the CS2 world turns its attention to Austin, these storylines will evolve and new ones will emerge. The combination of dramatic roster changes, legendary players potentially making their last Major appearances, and Vitality's quest for continued dominance ensures the BLAST.tv Austin Major will be an unmissable event for Counter-Strike fans worldwide.
Will s1mple's return to the big stage with FaZe result in championship glory? Can anyone stop Vitality's dominance? And which teams will use the Austin Major as a springboard to future success? We'll soon find out when the action begins on June 3rd.