BLAST launches host city process for 2025 and 2026 esports events

Esports tournament organiser BLAST has launched its host city process for events taking place in 2025 and 2026.

The company is planning on delivering over 15 live arena esports events a year across five titles — Rocket League, Fortnite, Counter-Strike, Rainbow Six and Dota 2.

For the next two-year period, BLAST noted to Esports Insider that its goal is to strengthen its existing markets and expand into new territories.

In 2024 the tournament organiser will organise a total of 10 arena events. This includes tournaments in Sao Paulo (Six Invitational 2024), Copenhagen (RLCS Copenhagen Major) and Manchester (BLAST Rainbow Six Manchester Major).

Alongside providing fans with international esports entertainment, LAN events in esports have also started to be utilised by cities to attract tourism. According to BLAST, the Six Invitational 2024 in Sao Paulo, delivered over $13m (~£10.22m) in economic impact for the Brazilian city.

This isn’t the first time that financials over ‘economic impact’ have been disclosed with the 2023 LCS Spring Finals reportedly generating $2.74m (~£2.16m) for its host Raleigh, North Carolina.

BLAST’s ambition to host more esports events from 2025 comes after the introduction of BLAST Slam, a new Dota 2 circuit that will start in late 2024. The circuit, which will run from late 2024 into 2025, has already revealed plans to organise five events.

James Woollard, Director of Market Development at BLAST, commented on the host application launch: “After launching our host city process for events in 2025/26, we are excited to work with previous and brand new BLAST destinations to bring incredible esports events to places and fans all around the world.

“BLAST is renowned for its unparalleled production quality, game-changing fan-first moments, and electric arena events. These events attract fans from all around the world and deliver multi-million dollar economic impacts for hosts along with many other social, cultural and reputational benefits. We make BLAST events around the world look and feel unique with the city at the heart of the show, and we look to forge long-term and strategic partnerships with destinations to meet their objectives.”

Other major BLAST-organised events taking place this year include the FNCS Majors and BLAST Premier Fall Spring Final in London.