TL;DR
- Challengers Stage reduced from 6 to 4 days (August 23-26)
- Legends Stage shortened from 6 to 5 days (August 28-September 1)
- Champions Stage remains unchanged at Mercedes-Benz Arena (September 5-8)
- Ticket sales live with premium passes already sold out
- Open qualifiers starting soon for teams seeking Major qualification

StarLadder has implemented strategic modifications to the tournament timeline for the approaching Counter-Strike: Global Offensive major championship.
The Challengers Stage now spans four consecutive days from August 23 through August 26, representing a significant compression from the originally planned six-day format. Simultaneously, the Legends Stage competition window has been adjusted to five days between August 28 and September 1, down from the initial six-day arrangement.
The culminating Champions Stage maintains its previously announced schedule, with elite matches proceeding at Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena from September 5 to September 8.
A StarLadder official communicated to HLTV that these adjustments represent “the initial phase in minimizing CS:GO Majors’ impact on the worldwide competitive calendar.”
Although reducing stage lengths by several days might appear minor initially, this decision delivers tangible advantages across multiple stakeholder groups. The tournament organizer benefits from streamlined operational expenditures and reduced venue costs. For competing squads failing to advance beyond the group stages, this enables quicker transitions to alternative competitions or provides extended preparation periods.
For viewers and esports enthusiasts, condensed schedules often translate to more intense, action-packed viewing experiences with reduced downtime between critical matches.
Admission passes for the Champions Stage finals are currently available for purchase, featuring a general access four-day bundle priced at €99 (approximately $110.02). Individual day tickets offer flexible options, with Thursday and Friday access costing €25 daily ($27.82) while Saturday matches and Sunday’s championship finale command €35 ($38.94) per session. Transactions are processed through The Ticket Fairy platform. Premium four-day packages have reached capacity, suggesting interested spectators should secure remaining tickets promptly to avoid disappointment.
When planning your Major attendance, consider that premium seating typically sells out within hours of release, while general admission often remains available until the event week. For optimal planning, our Complete Guide offers valuable insights into maximizing your esports event experience.
The open qualification tournaments for the StarLadder Major commence shortly, with aspiring teams competing for advancement to closed qualifiers where Minor tournament berths become attainable.
Although organizations participating in these preliminary qualifiers seldom reach the championship’s final rounds, unexpected victories from emerging squads frequently create compelling narratives. The potential for breakthrough performances remains constant, with any competition potentially launching the next rising team toward professional recognition. Understanding proper Class Guide principles can help analyze team compositions and strategic approaches during these qualifiers.
For teams preparing qualification campaigns, mastering fundamental mechanics proves crucial. Our comprehensive Weapons Unlock resource provides essential knowledge for optimizing in-game performance under pressure.
Action Checklist
- Secure Champions Stage tickets through The Ticket Fairy before premium options sell out
- Mark revised tournament dates: Challengers (Aug 23-26), Legends (Aug 28-Sep 1), Champions (Sep 5-8)
- Follow open qualifier matches starting in coming days for early tournament insights
- Analyze team performances during condensed stage formats for strategic betting or viewing
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » StarLadder CS:GO Major dates in August and September are changed StarLadder CS:GO Major schedule changes with reduced stage durations and ticket availability updates
