Valve has launched the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 official sticker capsule and Viewer Pass, initiating a crucial revenue share period for the participating esports organisations. This release provides a significant financial opportunity for teams competing in the premier Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) tournament, which begins its first stage on Monday, 24th November 2025, and will be held at Budapest’s MTK Sportpark.
A portion of the revenue generated from these sticker sales is traditionally shared with the competing organisations and players, providing a direct financial benefit from the game’s community engagement. This model has long been a cornerstone of team economics for Counter-Strike Majors, supplementing prize winnings.
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Detailing the new sticker system, the organisers announced: “Today we are introducing Sticker Slabs—charms that let you show off a sticker with no commitment. Later, just break the slab to return the sticker to your inventory.”
This revenue-sharing mechanism from sticker sales has been a consistent feature of the modern CS:GO and now Counter-Strike 2 Major cycle. For many organisations, especially those that may not be favourites to win the entire tournament, this collective merchandise fund can represent a substantial part of the financial return from participating in a Major, underlining the commercial importance of simply qualifying for the event.
As the competitive landscape evolves, these built-in revenue models within the game client remain a critical component for team sustainability, directly linking fan spending to organisational income.
