BLAST.tv Austin Major June 3: Four-Stage Valve Format

BLAST.tv Austin Major starts Tuesday, June 3, kicking off the first of four stages in the opening Major of the two Majors planned for 2025. The event in Texas is being positioned as a step-change for the circuit—mainly because it will, for the first time with Valve support, run across four stages rather than fewer segments, with the field expanded to 32 teams and an overall duration of about 20 days. With the trophy picture already tilting toward one lineup, the main question for players is whether the favorites can handle a longer, higher-pressure format without losing momentum.

Why this Major format is a genuine shift

The Austin Major’s biggest structural change is simple: 32 participating teams and four stages under Valve-backed support. That combination increases the number of matches across the event and extends the runway to roughly 20 days. For teams, that matters because it reduces the value of “peak once” performances; instead, consistency becomes the deciding factor across multiple rounds of competition and preparation cycles.

Expanded field: 32 teams, meaning more matchups and more ways for match rhythm to swing.
Four-stage structure: more phases to navigate, increasing pressure on mid-event form.
Longer event window: around 20 days, favoring teams that can adapt quickly.

Team Vitality as the clear frontrunner

At the center of the conversation is Team Vitality, described as the “sure bet” for lifting the trophy. The argument is built around an extended winning streak led by Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, credited with guiding his team through 30 consecutive wins. The analysis also flags a specific risk: early elimination formats like BO1, where the margin for error is smallest.

Even with that concern, the broader claim is that Vitality’s current level has created a buffer large enough to withstand the format’s volatility. The piece highlights a season that has already delivered six tournament wins and a strong start to the year—evidence meant to explain why the team’s status isn’t just about one event, but about sustained control across multiple tournaments.

Why the star system still matters

Alongside apEX’s structure, the article emphasizes Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut as a major factor in Vitality’s recent output. It notes that ZywOo is collecting MVP awards and suggests that the first Major of 2025 will heavily depend on his ability to perform at the same elite level throughout the expanded, multi-stage schedule.

The Polish storylines and how roster change complicates expectations

The outlook for teams with Polish players is portrayed as challenging because several organizations are in the middle of transitions. The article names G2 Esports, FaZe Clan, and Team Liquid as all undergoing roster changes. It also points out that, for one of them, the Austin run is likely to be the end of the road: Wiktor “TaZ” Wojtas and Olek “hades” Miśkiewicz are expected to leave after the event concludes in Austin.

For the team led by Filip “NEO” Kubski alongside Alexandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, the assessment is that results so far haven’t been strong enough to justify expecting a TOP4 finish. The article still leaves room for surprises—explicitly stating that an upset is possible—because tournament outcomes can swing quickly when teams are still stabilizing after changes.

Mixed form: Team Liquid and FaZe in recent results

One concrete recent reference is used to frame expectations for Liquid: IEM Melbourne ended with 5–6th place, followed by 9–12th place at Dallas, mirroring FaZe’s position there. The implication is that if these teams want to contend at Austin, they’ll likely need a sharp turnaround in form rather than incremental improvement.

Who else can win—Spirit, MOUZ, and Falcons as the next contenders

Beyond Vitality, the piece argues that Team Spirit should be expected to run deep, stating that failing to reach the grand final would be a major disappointment. It goes further by asserting that semifinal is the minimum acceptable outcome, with anything below that framed as a major surprise.

MOUZ and Team Falcons are also singled out as high-level threats, described as alternating opponents to Vitality in recent finals. After roster adjustments, both teams are presented as having raised their ceiling, with the claim that they can be competitive enough for the later rounds.

So are they favorites to win the whole thing?

The analysis draws a distinction: MOUZ and Falcons may be considered contenders up to the semifinals, but the writer doubts they are “locked” for the final or the overall trophy. Still, it notes that their ability to deliver big results isn’t just theoretical, referencing the way winners from the 5th season of ESL Grand Slam at the end of April demonstrated what “winning-level” performance can look like.