The Budapest Major 2025 is gearing up for a massive Stage 2 opener, with eight new teams joining the action after a packed Stage 1. Fans can expect a full day of back to back matches as the next round kicks off, and the matchups look anything but easy for some of the favourites.

Stage 1 Wraps Up, Pressure Rises in Stage 2

With Stage 1 now complete, eight teams advance to meet the eight organisations that qualified directly through the VRS. Despite their strong 3 0 runs, M80 and FlyQuest have been handed difficult openers. M80 will take on the ever threatening Aurora, while FlyQuest face NAVI, one of the highest ranked squads in the field.

Another standout matchup comes from Ninjas in Pyjamas versus Astralis. The pairing sets up a spicy reunion, as sjuush lines up against his former teammates and device faces his old organisation once again.

Elsewhere, a struggling FaZe Clan will attempt to steady the ship against Passion UA, and a classic Brazilian derby between MIBR and Imperial helps round out the schedule.

📢 The matchups are set for the opening round of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 2 pic.twitter.com/QpaLnw52sv

— HLTV.org (@HLTVorg) November 27, 2025

Opening Matches for Stage 2

Saturday, 29 November 2025

Astralis vs Ninjas in Pyjamas

13:00 CEST
12:00 BST
07:00 ET
04:00 PT
01:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

3DMAX vs fnatic

13:00 CEST
12:00 BST
07:00 ET
04:00 PT
01:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

Passion UA vs FaZe Clan

14:00 CEST
13:00 BST
08:00 ET
05:00 PT
02:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

PARIVISION vs TYLOO

14:00 CEST
13:00 BST
08:00 ET
05:00 PT
02:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

Natus Vincere vs FlyQuest

15:00 CEST
14:00 BST
09:00 ET
06:00 PT
03:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

Aurora vs M80

15:00 CEST
14:00 BST
09:00 ET
06:00 PT
03:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

MIBR vs Imperial

16:00 CEST
15:00 BST
10:00 ET
07:00 PT
04:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

Team Liquid vs B8

16:00 CEST
15:00 BST
10:00 ET
07:00 PT
04:00 NZDT (30 Nov)

A Huge Day Ahead in Budapest

Sixteen BO1 matches will light up Stage 2’s opening day, making it one of the busiest moments of the entire Major. With high stakes, emotional reunions, and several top tier teams clashing earlier than expected, Budapest is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic Majors in recent memory.

Fans won’t want to miss a moment, and with the timezone conversions above, tuning in should be easier than ever.

The post Budapest Major Stage 2: Full Opening Match Schedule Confirmed appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

FlyQuest has teamed up with reigning League of Legends World Champions T1 for a special charity campaign during Worlds 2025, turning every minute played on stage into real-world impact.

Full Scale w/ FlyQuest and @T1LoL!
For every minute either team plays, $5 will be donated to a charity of the team’s choosing!

The donations will support @AlveusSanctuary and its conservation efforts, alongside T1’s charity of choice that will be announced soon

+ for every 10k… pic.twitter.com/4Gkk98cY8J

— FlyQuest First & Only LTA CHAMPIONS (@FlyQuest) October 15, 2025

The initiative, called Full Scale with FlyQuest and T1, pledges to donate $5 for every minute either team spends competing during the tournament. The funds will go to each organisation’s chosen charity, with FlyQuest supporting Alveus Sanctuary, a wildlife conservation foundation led by streamer Maya Higa. T1’s selected charity is expected to be revealed soon.

To put things in perspective, if T1 plays a total of 595 minutes throughout Worlds, FlyQuest will donate $2,975 to their cause. But there’s more, for every 10,000 new followers FlyQuest gains on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, the donation rate increases by $1 per minute. That means if FlyQuest hits 10,000 new followers, the contribution jumps to $6 per minute, and so on.

The campaign highlights FlyQuest’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and community engagement, blending esports performance with social good. Fans are encouraged to support both teams online, knowing that every follow and every minute played adds up to something meaningful.

More information! pic.twitter.com/LpydfqCxmk

— FlyQuest First & Only LTA CHAMPIONS (@FlyQuest) October 15, 2025

As of now, Worlds 2025 is in full swing across China, running from October 14 to November 9. Seventeen of the world’s best League of Legends teams, including T1 and FlyQuest, are battling it out across Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing for a share of the $5 million USD prize pool. The champion will take home $1 million, but through this initiative, everyone wins something far greater.

At the time of writing, the Swiss Stage is nearing its end, with FlyQuest having already faced T1 in an early round. Fans can catch all the matches live on the official League of Legends Esports Twitch and YouTube channels.

It’s a refreshing move from FlyQuest to use the global spotlight of Worlds to give back. Whether the teams play for an hour or push through epic series, every second on stage is now worth more than just a spot in the next round, it’s a contribution to something bigger.

The post FlyQuest and T1 Launch Worlds 2025 Charity Campaign Supporting Wildlife and Community Causes appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

100 Thieves have done it. The North American powerhouse has officially reclaimed its spot at the top, winning the Marvel Rivals Ignite Stage 2 Americas championship after a thrilling Grand Finals showdown against ENVY.

The victory marks a major comeback for 100 Thieves, who had plenty to prove after finishing second in Stage 1 and third at the Mid-Season Finals. This time, they went all the way, lifting the trophy and securing their ticket to the Ignite Grand Finals later this year.

Throne reclaimed. #100T

100 THIEVES RIVALS ARE YOUR IGNITE AMERICAS STAGE 2 CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BuQxxxxXNJ

— 100 Thieves Esports (@100T_Esports) October 13, 2025

A Dominant Run from Start to Finish

100 Thieves opened the tournament in dominant fashion, topping their group with a flawless 4-0 record, taking down some of the region’s strongest teams including DarkZero and Sentinels.

Their momentum only grew stronger in the Playoffs. The team breezed through Dreamland and ENVY with back-to-back 3-1 victories, before clinching a Grand Finals spot after beating FlyQuest in the Upper Bracket Finals.

Then came the highly anticipated best-of-five rematch against ENVY, who had clawed their way back through the Lower Bracket. The finals delivered five intense games of top-tier Marvel Rivals action:

• Game 1: 100T 2-1 NV – Hell’s Heaven (Domination)
• Game 2: 100T 3-4 NV – Yggdrasill Path (Convoy)
• Game 3: 100T 5-4 NV – Symbiotic Surface (Convergence)
• Game 4: 100T 2-0 NV – Krakoa (Domination)
• Game 5: 100T 2-1 NV – Hall of Djalia (Convergence)

The final scoreline: 100 Thieves 4-1 ENVY.

Eyes Set on DreamHack Atlanta

With their Stage 2 triumph, 100 Thieves secured the lion’s share of the $250,000 prize pool and one of the four coveted qualification spots for the Marvel Rivals Ignite Grand Finals, set to take place later this year at DreamHack Atlanta.

Joining them from the Americas region are ENVY, FlyQuest, and DarkZero, while Sentinels, the Stage 1 champion, surprisingly failed to qualify after finishing sixth out of sixteen teams.

Across the other regions, the full lineup for the Grand Finals now includes:

• Americas: 100 Thieves, ENVY, FlyQuest, DarkZero
• EMEA: Virtus.pro, Citadel Gaming, Natus Vincere
• Asia: Crazy Raccoon, REJECT
• China: OUG, Aconyx
• Oceania: ChopperMag

The upcoming world championship will feature the largest Marvel Rivals prize pool yet, $1 million USD, promising to be one of the biggest events in the game’s competitive history.

The post 100 Thieves Reclaim the Throne with Marvel Rivals Ignite Stage 2 Americas Victory appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Riot Games has delayed the release of the League of Legends Worlds 2025 anthem following a last-minute decision to remove FlyQuest player Gabriël “Bwipo” Rau from the official music video. The highly anticipated song, originally set to debut on October 10, will now release on Monday, October 13.

According to Riot, the delay was necessary to make “last-minute edits” after the removal of Bwipo, who was originally featured to represent the Americas region. His exclusion reportedly caused portions of the video to be reworked, resulting in the entire region being left out of this year’s anthem.

The Worlds Music Video will now launch on October 13, a few days later than originally planned. Bwipo was featured in the original cut, but given his recent comments, we decided it wouldn’t be right to showcase him in a piece that represents LoL Esports, pro players, and fans.…

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) October 8, 2025

“This was not part of any sanction or competitive ruling, but a decision about how we represent our sport and community on a global stage,” Riot said in its statement.

Why Riot Cut Bwipo from the Video

The move follows Bwipo’s recent suspension by FlyQuest after making sexist remarks on stream. During a livestream, the Belgian player commented that there are certain times “in the month where you should not be playing competitive games as a woman,” a statement that quickly drew widespread criticism across the League of Legends community.

“When a woman is on the wrong part of the month… there’s a time of the month where you should not be f*cking playing competitive games as a woman”

League of Legends pro Bwipo is facing backlash saying it’s harder for women to compete while on their cycle… pic.twitter.com/G9ECvCcHJP

— Jake Lucky (@JakeSucky) September 9, 2025

While Bwipo later apologised and clarified that his words were not meant to be sexist, the backlash was swift. Riot’s decision to cut him from the Worlds anthem wasn’t a disciplinary action, but rather a conscious choice to align the company’s public image with its stated values of respect and inclusivity.

For Riot, which has spent years turning the Worlds anthem into an annual global celebration, including the player in this year’s video “wouldn’t be right” given the controversy.

Community Split Over Riot’s Decision

The reaction online has been divided. Many fans supported Riot’s stance, arguing that the company should uphold the principles it promotes within esports. Others, however, criticised the move as hypocritical, pointing out that Riot continues to maintain commercial ties with the Saudi-backed Esports World Cup, an event funded by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has faced ongoing criticism for its human rights record.

Twitter user Glaivz summed up the sentiment for many detractors.

“but a decision about how we represent our sport and community on a global stage.”

You made that quite clear with taking money from the Saudi Government. I guess it’s easier to punish one guy that apologized than not taking blood money from a country where women have no rights

— Glaivz (@Glaivz) October 8, 2025

Meanwhile, others joked about the situation, with one user quipping that Bwipo “cancelled whole NA,” referencing how the Americas’ representation was entirely cut from the video.

The Anthem Tradition Continues

Despite the controversy, the Worlds 2025 anthem remains one of the most anticipated parts of the annual League of Legends calendar. Since 2014’s Warriors by Imagine Dragons, each Worlds anthem has served as a rallying cry for players and fans alike, from Legends Never Die to Rise and GODS.

This year’s song marks the twelfth instalment in the series and will be performed by Gloria Tang Sze-wing, better known as G.E.M., one of the biggest stars in Chinese pop music and a major figure across the Greater China region.

Though the delay has disappointed some fans, anticipation remains high for the video’s debut on October 13, which will celebrate the 15th anniversary of Worlds. Beyond the music, however, the incident has once again highlighted how Riot Games continues to navigate the tricky balance between community values, player behaviour, and global partnerships in the ever-growing esports scene.

The post Riot Delays Worlds 2025 Anthem After Cutting Bwipo from Music Video appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

FlyQuest have claimed the final League of Legends Championship of the Americas (LTA) title, defeating Vivo Keyd Stars 3-1 in the Grand Final to secure their place in history as the first, last, and only champions of the competition.

2025 #LTA CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZYJ5bqBLFs

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) September 28, 2025

The Last LTA Title Ever

The 2025 season marked the debut, and now the end, of the LTA, with Riot Games announcing that the league will return to the familiar LCS and CBLOL format in 2026. FlyQuest’s win carries extra weight as the organisation was also the last ever LCS champion before the rebrand earlier this year.

The Grand Final wrapped up a season-long continental showdown between top teams from North and South America. For FlyQuest, the victory not only brought prestige but also the US$80,000 first-place prize and the honour of being the region’s number one seed heading into Worlds 2025.

FlyQuest’s Road to Glory

FlyQuest entered the Championship from the upper bracket after winning the LTA North Split 2 Playoffs. Their opening series saw them brush aside Vivo Keyd Stars in a clean sweep, booking their spot in the final without dropping a match.

Vivo Keyd Stars, however, fought their way back through the lower bracket. After a 3-1 win over 100 Thieves, they earned a rematch against FlyQuest for the title.

The final opened in explosive fashion, with FlyQuest taking the first two games to reach match point. Vivo Keyd Stars managed to strike back in game three, but Gabriël “Bwipo” Rau turned on the style in game four. His dominant performance sealed the series 3-1, handing FlyQuest the crown.

Alongside the champions, Vivo Keyd Stars walked away with US$50,000 and the region’s second seed at Worlds, while 100 Thieves rounded out the top three and secured the final Americas slot.

What’s Next for FlyQuest?

The win caps off a remarkable year for FlyQuest, who had already taken home titles in Split 2 and Split 3. Now, their focus shifts to the biggest stage of all — the League of Legends World Championship.

At MSI earlier this year, FlyQuest were the highest-placing LTA squad, finishing in the top six after a thrilling five-game battle against Bilibili Gaming. That experience will be crucial as they look to make an even deeper run at Worlds.

The Worlds 2025 Swiss Stage kicks off on October 15, with 16 teams competing for a place in the Knockout Stage beginning October 28. The tournament will conclude with the Grand Final on November 9.

For FlyQuest, their LTA dominance is now etched into League of Legends history. The question is whether they can carry that form onto the international stage and prove they are not just the best in the Americas, but among the best in the world.

The post FlyQuest Crowned LTA 2025 Champions After Beating Vivo Keyd Stars appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

FlyQuest had fans convinced they were about to bow out of competitive League of Legends, but instead the North American org pulled the curtain back on a brand-new fashion collab with Von Dutch.

League is Dead. Long Live the League.

FlyQuest x Von Dutch pic.twitter.com/RAxqXYBwcO

— FlyQuest (@FlyQuest) September 5, 2025

The drama kicked off when FlyQuest dropped a cryptic post on X, reflecting on the massive changes in the League ecosystem. The team pointed to the exits of long-time giants like Team SoloMid, Counter Logic Gaming, Evil Geniuses and most recently 100 Thieves, saying they needed to reflect on their own future. The post had fans bracing for another big departure from the NA scene.

pic.twitter.com/6YhbmIyclI

— FlyQuest (@FlyQuest) September 4, 2025

Instead, the reveal turned out to be a sharp marketing move. FlyQuest announced a full-on merchandise collaboration with Von Dutch, leading with the bold slogan “League is Dead. Long Live the League.”

The Collection

The FlyQuest x Von Dutch line leans hard into dark, gothic vibes, with black knit sweaters, graphic tees and caps covered in edgy lettering. One of the standout designs carries the phrase “League is Dead” in gothic script, a nod to the ongoing debate around the state of the North American League scene.

Image Credit: FlyQuest / Von Dutch

The launch campaign included a video that doubled down on the theatrics, showing gravestones for fallen NA teams while current FlyQuest players modelled the gear. It’s available now via the official FlyQuest store.

Community Reactions

The stunt definitely got people talking. Some fans praised the creativity and gutsiness of the campaign, while others couldn’t help but point to the reality of the region’s struggles.

Christopher “PapaSmithy” Smith, FlyQuest’s President and Chief Gaming Officer, defended the messaging. He shared on X that when he first entered esports over a decade ago, people told him League of Legends was already dying. “Being a one-eyed believer in League of Legends got me this far,” he said. “League is dead, long live League!”

Context Around NA League

The buzz comes at a tough time for the North American League of Legends scene. The Legends of the Americas (LTA) North Split 2 pulled in the lowest peak viewership across all major regions, with numbers dipping below even the LCP. It’s a far cry from the height of the LCS era and continues to fuel concerns about the game’s popularity in NA.

Still, FlyQuest isn’t going anywhere. The team remains one of North America’s top contenders and is set to compete at Worlds 2025 in China this October. With the tournament running from 14 October to 9 November, fans will be watching closely to see if FlyQuest can carry both its new branding swagger and gameplay momentum onto the biggest stage in League esports.

The post FlyQuest Trolls League of Legends Exit Rumours With Von Dutch Collab appeared first on Shane the Gamer.