ZOWIE, the esports-focused brand of BenQ Corporation, has been confirmed as the Official Monitor Partner for the StarLadder Budapest 2025 Counter-strike 2 (CS2) Major, reuniting the hardware manufacturer with the tournament organiser for the first time since the CS:GO Major Berlin 2019.
The partnership aims to ensure the tournament is played on the XL2586X+ 600Hz monitors, which are touted for their high responsiveness. The collaboration highlights the ongoing relationship between equipment suppliers and major tournament organisers to standardise professional-grade hardware for competitive integrity.
Also read: StarLadder announces final sponsorship opportunities for CS2 Budapest Major
The partnership was commented via social media by Valentin Draucourt, a Marketing & Communication Specialist at BenQ and ZOWIE, who stated that the deal “confirms ZOWIE’s commitment alongside pro players and the international Esport scene.” On its website, the company elaborated, saying, “The ZOWIE monitor will once again power the tournament stages — delivering the clarity, speed, and reliability trusted by pros worldwide.”
This deal continues ZOWIE’s established presence in the Counter-Strike competitive circuit. The company’s website notes its monitors were also used at other premier events such as IEM Cologne 2025, IEM Katowice 2025, PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, and the BLAST Paris Major 2023.
Beyond tournament partnerships, ZOWIE continues to invest in the esports ecosystem. Earlier this year, the brand officially launched an European Sports Science Lab in Eindhoven, Netherlands, aimed at providing insights into player performance. ZOWIE also served as an official partner for the 2025 Fortnite Global Championship and was used at the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) in Americas and Pacific, indicating a strategic expansion of its support across multiple major esports titles.
The StarLadder Budapest Major is a premier event in the 2025 CS2 calendar. Scheduled to run from November 24th to December 14th, 2025, it will be the second CS2 Major to feature an expanded 32-team format. The teams will compete for a share of a $1.25m prize pool. All stages of the event will be played in front of a live audience, culminating in the playoffs at Budapest’s 20,000-seat MVM Dome from December 11th to 14th. The tournament’s broadcast is expected to amass a viewership in excess of 100 million.
