Gaming
Budapest to host 2025 CS2 Major as Starladder brings playoffs to 20,000-seat MVM Dome
MUMBAI: It’s game on for Budapest. Starladder has announced that the second Counter-Strike 2 Major of 2025 will take place in Hungary’s capital, culminating in a blockbuster playoff showdown at the 20,000-seat MVM Dome—the largest CS2 Major venue to date.
Set to run from 24 November to 14 December, the Major will bring together 32 of the world’s best CS2 squads, each fighting for a piece of the $1.25 million prize pool and one of the most coveted titles in esports.
The opening phase will unfold at the 2,000-capacity MTK Sportpark, Budapest’s freshly upgraded esports-ready venue. From up-close matches to high-decibel cheers, the early rounds promise fans an electric offline experience ahead of the high-stakes finals.
The MVM Dome takes over from 11-14 December, transforming into a cathedral of competition with immersive lighting, mega-sized LEDs and theatrical effects built for stadium-scale esports drama. One of Europe’s most advanced arenas, the Dome will host four days of playoffs designed to dazzle on-site and online audiences alike.
“Hosting another Major is an incredible honor, and we’re determined to make it unforgettable,” said Starladder CEO Roman Romantsov. “Budapest gives us the perfect stage to push the boundaries of what a live CS2 event can look and feel like. From day one to the Grand Finals, we’re building something that fans—both in the arena and watching around the world—will remember. We invite every Counter-Strike fan to be part of this iconic moment with us.”
Set against the backdrop of Budapest’s festive season, the tournament offers a unique blend of esports spectacle and holiday charm—an experience that aims to be as memorable off-screen as it is on.
Tickets for all stages, including the MVM Dome playoffs, are now on sale at: major.Starladder.com
Gaming
IICT signs three MoUs to boost AVGC-XR and esports
Partnerships with Zenfluencers, Yologram and Eruditio at Chennai Gaming Show 2026 strengthen education, XR innovation and nationwide talent outreach.
MUMBAI: IICT has just levelled up the game in a big way. The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies signed three strategic Memorandums of Understanding on 17 April 2026 at the CII Summit FX – India Gaming Show in Chennai, forging alliances with The Zenfluencers, Yologram Style Pvt. Ltd. and Eruditio Consultants to accelerate India’s AVGC-XR ecosystem.
The tie-ups combine IICT’s strengths in education, skilling and research with specialist expertise across esports, immersive technologies and large-scale outreach.
- With The Zenfluencers, IICT will roll out globally benchmarked esports programmes, including joint certification courses, industry workshops, tournaments and masterclasses, creating clear career pathways across the full esports value chain.
- The partnership with Yologram Style Pvt. Ltd. focuses on gaming, immersive storytelling and extended reality (XR), delivering industry-aligned curriculum, faculty mentorship, student showcases and collaborative research in immersive AI and virtual production.
- Collaboration with Eruditio Consultants targets awareness, accessibility and career alignment, with nationwide counsellor training, institutional engagement and structured guidance frameworks to reach students beyond Tier-1 cities.
IICT CEO Vishwas Deoskar said, “As the AVGC-XR sector evolves at a rapid pace, strong collaborations between industry and academia are essential. These partnerships will create meaningful impact across education, innovation and outreach.”
Yologram Style Pvt. Ltd. founder Aditya Mani added, “AI-driven creator worlds are transforming games into engines of culture, commerce and careers. Together we aim to empower a generation to build immersive futures.”
Eruditio Consultants founder Indrajit Ghosh noted, “This is not just about awareness, it is about building a structured ecosystem that connects aspiration with opportunity.”
The Zenfluencers CEO Atharva Gupta said, “This MoU is a big unlock moment for the esports ecosystem in India. We’re building a structured pipeline for talent across the full stack.”
By bringing together academia, industry leaders and ecosystem players, IICT is creating scalable models that blend cutting-edge skills with real-world relevance. In a sector racing toward the future, these three partnerships ensure India’s next generation of creative technologists won’t just keep up, they’ll set the pace.
