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BLAST has announced their plans to host the first Counter-Strike Major of 2025 in Austin, Texas, marking the return of the prestigious tournament to North America after a seven-year hiatus.
The event is set to take place at the Moody Center, located at The University of Texas at Austin, with a capacity exceeding 15,000 seats.
BLAST anticipates a significant economic impact of $40 million for Austin, drawing in an estimated 50,000 fans from around the world.
Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST, expressed enthusiasm for bringing the Major to Austin, emphasizing the city’s vibrant atmosphere and the state-of-the-art facilities of the Moody Center.
This move is seen as a pivotal moment for Counter-Strike esports, promising a memorable experience for both attendees and viewers globally while benefiting the local community.
The announcement was made during the first playoff day of the BLAST Premier Spring Final in London, where BLAST also unveiled details of its 2025 event circuit.
THE @BLASTTV AUSTIN MAJOR 2025
👉 https://t.co/RAp5K64oY7 pic.twitter.com/diQeDeEqm5
— BLAST Premier 💥 (@BLASTPremier) June 14, 2024
This includes stops at prominent venues like the MEO Arena in Lisbon and Wembley Arena in London, underscoring BLAST’s commitment to expanding its global footprint in esports.
The Austin Major represents BLAST’s second endeavour in hosting a CS Major, following the successful Paris Major in 2023.
Andrew Haworth, Commissioner of BLAST Premier, previously highlighted the Paris event’s success and expressed BLAST’s readiness to adapt to the evolving esports landscape, particularly with the absence of partner leagues in the new ecosystem.
This return of the Major to North America marks a significant moment for fans, especially in the United States, where enthusiasm for Counter-Strike has remained strong since the last Major held in Boston in 2018.
The upcoming Austin Major is poised to reignite excitement, coinciding with BLAST’s revamped 2025 schedule designed to enhance competition and engagement across its tournaments.
