BLAST Reveals Plans for Massive Counter-Strike 2 Tournament in Texas
Esports tournament organizer BLAST has unveiled ambitious plans to host a $1.25 million Counter-Strike 2 Major in Austin, Texas in June 2025. This marks a significant milestone as the first CS Major to be held on US soil since 2018.
Key Details:
- Event: BLAST Austin Major
- Date: June 2025
- Venue: Moody Center, Austin, Texas
- Prize Pool: $1.25 million
- Format: Likely 24 teams (to be confirmed)
BLAST CEO Robbie Douek expressed excitement about bringing the Major to Austin, citing the city's dynamic atmosphere and the Moody Center's cutting-edge facilities as key factors in the decision.
A Return to North America
The last Counter-Strike Major held in the United States was the ELEAGUE Major in 2018, which saw Cloud9 claim victory in a thrilling final. The return to North American soil is expected to reinvigorate the CS2 scene in the region.
Global CS2 Landscape
Before the Austin Major, the competitive CS2 calendar includes:
- The upcoming Shanghai Major in December 2023 - the first Asian-hosted Major
- BLAST Premier Spring Final 2024 returning to London's Wembley Arena
Recent BLAST Premier Spring Final Results
In related news, Team Spirit emerged victorious at the recent BLAST Premier Spring Final Counter-Strike 2 tournament, defeating NAVI 3-1 in a best-of-five grand final. The win secures Spirit a $200,000 prize and a spot at the BLAST World Final later this year.
As the CS2 scene continues to evolve, the announcement of the Austin Major demonstrates BLAST's commitment to growing the esport globally while reconnecting with its North American fanbase.