Esports in Hungary 2025: rising stars, national leagues, and global impact

As of 2025, esports in Hungary is experiencing substantial growth and increasing professionalisation, positioning itself as a significant player both regionally and internationally. This development is driven by a combination of factors, including the hosting of major global tournaments, the strengthening of domestic competitive platforms, active institutional support, and the rise of Hungarian talent on the international stage.

StarLadder Major

One of the most prominent highlights of esports in Hungary in 2025 is Budapest’s selection as the host city for the highly prestigious StarLadder Major in the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) ecosystem. This event is among the largest of its kind worldwide, boasting a prize pool of over $1.25 million, and will be held at major venues such as the MTK Sportpark and the MVM Dome.

The tournament draws significant global attention, with thousands of fans watching live both in the arena and online. Budapest’s hosting of such a high-profile event significantly elevates Hungary’s visibility in the esports world and demonstrates the country’s capacity to support large-scale esports events. Additionally, Hungarian player Ádám Torzsás, known by his in-game nickname “torzsi,” is competing at the highest level, his team ranked as the third-best globally in CS:GO. Such representation inspires the local esports community and showcases the nation’s growing pool of competitive talent.

The CS:GO competitive scene is undergoing structural changes worldwide, notably due to Valve’s 2025 modifications of their partner league system. These changes aim to open up the competition by encouraging more open qualifiers rather than closed, invite-only leagues. This shift could democratize access for emerging teams and players, offering fresh opportunities for new Hungarian talent to break into the international elite. However, this more open landscape also brings challenges, as the influence of well-funded organisations and major sponsors remains strong, making the ecosystem highly competitive and financially driven.

Hungarian Esports Federation

On the domestic front, Hungary’s esports infrastructure has benefited from organised efforts led by the Hungarian Esports Federation (HUNESZ). The federation coordinates national leagues and qualifiers across multiple popular esports titles, including Dota 2 and eFootball, strengthening the community and professional pathways for players. HUNESZ’s activities also help to unify the esports community under common standards and provide support for talent development, tournament organisation, and international representation.

In addition to competitive leagues, grassroots and fan engagement have been boosted by large-scale events such as the Országos Gaming Expo (OGEX). In 2025, OGEX continued to be a major platform scattered across Hungarian cities, offering free access to gaming-related competitions, educational workshops, and networking opportunities. This event not only promotes esports in Hungary to a wider audience but also builds bridges between amateur players and the professional scene, helping to increase interest and discover new talent across the country.

World Games program in 2025

Another important milestone is esports’ formal integration into the World Games program in 2025. Being included in such a globally recognized multi-sport event elevates the legitimacy and prestige of esports and opens avenues for state-level support, sponsorship, and youth engagement initiatives. This recognition helps Hungary align with the broader international trend of acknowledging esports as a serious competitive discipline on par with traditional sports.

Hungary’s esports ecosystem also prominently features smaller but rapidly growing scenes in games such as Rocket League and fighting games, with regular domestic tournaments and open qualifiers that draw considerable local participation and viewership. The presence of official teams, professional coaching, and streaming infrastructure has matured, enabling players to build careers in the industry.

Challenges remain, notably in securing consistent funding, expanding media coverage, and linking esports more closely with education and career development pathways. However, the combination of Hungary’s hosting of high-profile championships, a growing base of competitive talent, coordinated national support structures, and increasing public enthusiasm creates a strong foundation for sustainable growth.

Formula 1 Esports World Championship

In the 2025 Formula 1 Esports World Championship, Hungary is proudly represented by three talented drivers who have already achieved impressive results. The season kicked off with a spectacular start featuring Hungarian racers István Puki and Dániel Bereznay, both driving for the Mercedes team, securing a double podium finish in the opening race held in Melbourne. Puki finished second while Bereznay took third place, marking a remarkable achievement for Hungarian esports on a global stage. Another promising Hungarian driver, Tamás Gál, races for the Haas team and has consistently ranked among the points scorers in the championship.

Dániel Bereznay is a veteran in the F1 esports scene, having competed since 2018, and he earned a silver medal in his debut season. In the ongoing 2025 season, he is maintaining strong form, ranking seventh in the standings after several races. Puki István made a notable move from Ferrari to Mercedes and has been competing fiercely alongside Bereznay. Meanwhile, newcomer Tamás Gál is gaining valuable experience and points, further highlighting the depth of Hungarian talent in F1 sim racing.

The competition format for the F1 esports championship involves multiple race weekends over three days, including qualifying sessions and races that replicate 50% of the real-world Grand Prix distances. This structure tests the drivers’ skills, teamwork, and consistency over the season. The strong early-season performances by Hungarian drivers have raised expectations for them to continue being contenders throughout the year.

Esports in Hungary

In summary, esports in Hungary in 2025 stands at an exciting juncture. It is rapidly evolving from grassroots origins to a professionalised, internationally recognised competitive scene. By successfully hosting global events like the StarLadder Major, nurturing national teams, and promoting inclusive community engagement through events like OGEX, Hungary is securing its place on the global esports map. The ongoing structural changes in major esports titles and Hungary’s proactive organisational efforts suggest that the country can continue refining its competitive edge and cultural presence in esports well into the future.

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