June 20, 2024

BLAST Premier to Host CS2 Major in Austin, Texas, in 2025

We have big news for the esports community: BLAST, the leading esports tournament organizer for FPS tournaments since the days of CSGO, has announced that they will host a Counter-Strike 2 Major in Austin, Texas, in 2025. This event marks the first CS2 Major to be held in North America in the last seven years.

A New Era for Counter-Strike Esports

This announcement comes in the wake of Valve’s decision to end franchise-style leagues in Counter-Strike, aiming to open up the CS2 esports ecosystem. Starting in 2025, the BLAST Premier format will undergo major changes. The current partner team structure, which guarantees invites to 16 permanent teams, will be replaced by six standalone tournaments spread across two seasons, with some of the confirmed venues for 2025 including London, Lisbon, and now Austin.

Blast.tv Austin Major

The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025

The Moody Center will host the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 in June 2025. This event will be the second Counter-Strike Major organized by BLAST and is projected to be one of the largest esports events ever hosted in the United States.

BLAST anticipates a $40 million boost to Austin’s economy and expects 50,000 fans to attend in person. To bring this event to life, BLAST has partnered with entertainment company Live Nation, event promoter C3 Presents, and Visit Austin.

The Austin Major will be the first North American Counter-Strike Major since 2018. The United States has a large Counter-Strike player base, but the region has historically struggled to compete on the global stage. This Major could be a significant boost for the North American CS2 scene, providing a platform for local talent to shine.

The Future of BLAST Premier

The changes to the BLAST Premier circuit, set to take effect in 2025, align with Valve’s new rules and aim to create a more open and competitive environment. BLAST plans to promote the diversity and competitiveness of its tournaments by abandoning the partner-team model.

Expanding Esports Horizons

BLAST has solidified its position as a leading esports tournament organizer, expanding into games like Dota 2, Rocket League, and Fortnite. In May, BLAST initiated a host city bidding process for its 2025 and 2026 events, further vowing to foster the growth of the esports ecosystem.

Economic and Community Impact

Hosting the BLAST.tv Austin Major is not just about esports; it’s also about community and economic impact. The event is expected to boost local businesses and provide a platform for community engagement. Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST, expressed his excitement about the event:

“We are incredibly excited to bring the BLAST.tv Major to Austin, Texas. The city’s dynamic atmosphere, the cutting-edge Moody Center, and track record of hosting world-leading events provide the perfect setting for what promises to be an unforgettable event.”

CS2 North America

The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 represents a significant boost for the Counter-Strike 2 esports scene, particularly in North America. With major changes to the BLAST Premier format and a renewed focus on open competition, this event is set to elevate the status of CS2 on the global stage. The economic and community benefits for Austin further underscore the importance of this major esports event.

Stay tuned to our blog for more updates on Counter-Strike 2 and other esports news.

 

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