BLAST has revealed the event schedule for 2026, giving the Counter-Strike community an exciting look ahead. However, it’s not only about the upcoming year; significant changes are also coming in 2025 with a revamped format that includes two competitive seasons. This fresh structure promises more intense competition, surprises, and challenges for teams striving for victory.
The 2026 season is set to start with the BLAST Bounty tournament from January 12 to January 25, kicking off the year on a strong note. The first Open will take place from March 16 to 29, followed by Rivals from April 27 to May 3, wrapping up the first season. The second season begins with Bounty on July 20, running until August 2. The next Open is slated for August 24 to September 6, ending with Rivals from November 9 to 15.
To tackle new challenges in Counter-Strike, BLAST is introducing a fresh event structure in 2025 designed to bring more excitement and competition. Each tournament will crown its own champion and have specific entry criteria. Each season will feature four main tournaments: Bounty, Open, Risings, and Rivals, with final locations still to be determined.
BLAST also announced the invitation dates for the 2025 tournaments. The new format ensures that participating teams will know their entry opportunities in advance, marking 2025 as a pivotal year for Counter-Strike’s evolution. The revised schedule aims to maintain a high level of competition throughout the season.
The new BLAST Bounty format will challenge teams to “hunt” high-ranking opponents for rewards. It will involve 32 teams, with 28 qualifying based on Valve Global Rankings and four wildcard slots from BLAST. Initial matches will be played online, with the LAN finals held at BLAST Studios.
The Open tournament is set to be a premier event in venues like MEO Arena in Lisbon and OVO Wembley Arena in London, featuring a 16-team double-elimination group stage.
BLAST Risings will highlight regional competitions, giving teams that don’t qualify for the Open a chance to shine internationally. Divided into Europe, North America, Asia, and South America, each region will have 12 teams, and the winners will progress to the Rivals tournament to face tougher competition.
Rivals will be the grand finale of each season, where top teams compete in a LAN event using the GSL format. The final match will be played in a Bo5 format, emphasizing the importance of this tournament in determining the season’s top teams and preparing them for future challenges.
The new participation system and prize pools are set to provide substantial financial backing for teams in 2025. The Bounty tournament will offer a $1.3 million prize pool, the Open will have $1.4 million, and Rivals will guarantee payouts of $81,250 for each of the eight teams. The “Frequent Flyer” system will also offer additional bonuses for teams that frequently participate in BLAST events.
BLAST’s revamped format introduces variety and calculated risk, giving teams a chance to prove their dominance under the most competitive conditions. These changes are aimed at fostering the growth of Counter-Strike, attracting new talent and teams, and reinforcing BLAST’s status as an integral part of the esports ecosystem.
