BLAST Premier Open Details Revealed
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04 September 2025 15:55
BLAST Premier Open heads to Rotterdam for the first time. Scheduled for March 27–29, 2026, the high-stakes Counter-Strike 2 tournament will take place at the iconic Ahoy Arena, transforming the venue into the epicenter of competitive gaming.
This marks the first time a BLAST Premier event will be held in the Netherlands, a move that organizers say reflects the country's growing influence in the global esports scene. The three-day event will be the grand finale of a two-week esports spectacle, featuring 16 of the world’s top Counter-Strike teams competing for a total of $1.1 million USD—$400,000 in prize money and an additional $700,000 in team payments.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring the BLAST Premier Open to Rotterdam, taking BLAST to a brand-new country,” said Andrew Haworth, SVP of Ecosystems at BLAST. “The Netherlands has a passionate esports fanbase, and the Ahoy Arena is the perfect stage to host the next chapter of BLAST. Fans can expect world-class Counter-Strike, unforgettable moments, and the signature BLAST production quality they have come to know.”
The tournament’s format will see 12 teams receive direct invitations based on global rankings, while four more will earn their place through open qualifiers held at BLAST’s studios in Copenhagen. From the 16 contenders, only six will qualify to play in front of a live audience in Rotterdam.
The Ahoy Arena—famous for hosting concerts, entertainment shows, and major sporting events—will welcome thousands of esports fans from across Europe and beyond. Organizers expect the influx of visitors to generate significant economic benefits for the city, including boosts to tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors.
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04 September 2025 15:55
BLAST Premier Open heads to Rotterdam for the first time. Scheduled for March 27–29, 2026, the high-stakes Counter-Strike 2 tournament will take place at the iconic Ahoy Arena, transforming the venue into the epicenter of competitive gaming.
This marks the first time a BLAST Premier event will be held in the Netherlands, a move that organizers say reflects the country's growing influence in the global esports scene. The three-day event will be the grand finale of a two-week esports spectacle, featuring 16 of the world’s top Counter-Strike teams competing for a total of $1.1 million USD—$400,000 in prize money and an additional $700,000 in team payments.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring the BLAST Premier Open to Rotterdam, taking BLAST to a brand-new country,” said Andrew Haworth, SVP of Ecosystems at BLAST. “The Netherlands has a passionate esports fanbase, and the Ahoy Arena is the perfect stage to host the next chapter of BLAST. Fans can expect world-class Counter-Strike, unforgettable moments, and the signature BLAST production quality they have come to know.”
The tournament’s format will see 12 teams receive direct invitations based on global rankings, while four more will earn their place through open qualifiers held at BLAST’s studios in Copenhagen. From the 16 contenders, only six will qualify to play in front of a live audience in Rotterdam.
The Ahoy Arena—famous for hosting concerts, entertainment shows, and major sporting events—will welcome thousands of esports fans from across Europe and beyond. Organizers expect the influx of visitors to generate significant economic benefits for the city, including boosts to tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors.
Related news
View AllThe BLAST R6 Munich Major wrapped up with a dramatic showdown in Germany, where M80 overpowered Team Falcons 3–1 in...
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The upcoming BLAST Rivals tournament in Hong Kong will see a new collaboration between BLAST and Refrag, a company known...
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Nov 12, 2025
BLAST has confirmed that its second BLAST Premier Open Counter-Strike 2 tournament in 2026 will take place in Europe, marking...
More
Oct 24, 2025
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Oct 07, 2025
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