With the Austin Major 2025 approaching, people from all over the world who love Counter-Strike are preparing for more than strong competition – they’re ready to join the community’s favorite tradition: the Austin Major Pickems. Now that games are full of big sways and slight edges, figuring out how to win is a task all in itself.

There is much more to these picks than just creating a bracket. They are now a way to measure how much one knows, feels and learns about computer science. While everyone pays attention from the group stages to the grand finals, fans often look for any surprises, important wins and unexpected turns of the game. All of the choices made reflect a belief in how a group is playing, an important player or a region’s success.

That’s what makes this particular Major so compelling. The format demands precision. With only two Majors per year, fans know that every prediction counts. Whether it’s guessing who escapes the Challenger Stage or placing faith in an underdog to reach playoffs, the Austin Major Pick’ems reward those who think like analysts – and punish those who guess like gamblers.

Competition this year is more intense than at any time in the past. Most teams near the top have revealed some weaknesses and new teams from Asia and South America are making a strong challenge. Because the results are so uncertain, Pick’ems are even more exciting. It’s not just about making safe decisions – you’re observing the meta, finding out who fits well on your team and guessing who will shine at the right moment.

Yet, the Austin Major Pick’ems are really different because they unite fans worldwide. If you’re in Brazil, Denmark, the US or Kazakhstan, you’re still playing the exact same game as everyone else. When your forecast is accurate, it feels like an achievement for you. Each bracket that’s busted hurts just as much as an overtime loss.

It’s more than just fun – it’s emotional investment. Fans don’t just pick teams. They rally behind storylines: a veteran’s last run, a rookie’s breakout, or a dark horse pushing through elimination rounds. Suddenly, a mid-bracket match between two international teams becomes the most important match of the day – not because of the standings, but because your Pick’em score depends on it.

Social media plays a massive role in the experience. Brackets are shared, debated, and argued over in real time. Streamers reveal their predictions to thousands. Reddit threads break down Pick’em strategies like they’re playoff gameplans. Twitter/X lights up after every upset, with fans cheering or despairing over the fate of their picks. It creates a shared, global tension that only Counter-Strike can deliver.

And when upsets happen – because they always do – the Austin Major Pick’ems turn them into unforgettable moments. That 0–2 comeback? That surprise semifinalist? For some, it ruins their bracket. For others, it proves their genius. That mix of risk, reward, and raw emotion is why fans return every Major.

As the first matches kick off in Austin, one thing is certain: this isn’t just about watching the best teams in the world compete. It’s about being part of the tournament – one pick at a time. From the opening pistol rounds to the final confetti drop, the Pick’ems turn every viewer into a player in their own right.

Austin Major Pick’ems aren’t just a game within the game – they’re a tradition. A way for fans to test their knowledge, feel the stakes, and engage with Counter-Strike on a deeper level. And when the dust settles, bragging rights belong to those who saw the path before it unfolded.