The BLAST Premier will make its long-awaited return to the US when the spring finale takes place at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, DC.
BLAST has partnered with Events DC and Monumental Sports & Entertainment to bring its global esports tournament, the BLAST Premier Spring Final, to Washington DC this June.
The Spring Finals at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington D.C. will be held June 7-11 and will feature the world’s biggest esports teams competing for the inaugural BLAST Premier Cup in 2023, a share of the event’s $450,000 prize pool, and a spot. prestigious world final.
The nation’s capital will host the first BLAST event to take place in North America since 2019, when the BLAST Pro Series was hosted in Los Angeles, California, and where US-based Team Liquid lifted the trophy.
The announcement and partnership align with BLAST’s continued commitment to reaching new audiences, delivering incredible experiences in modern arenas and bringing esports closer to those who love it most.
BLAST Premier CEO Charlotte Kenny said: “North America has some of the most passionate fans and talented players in Counter-Strike. We are excited to return to the US in June to host our first BLAST Premier arena event of 2023. BLAST is focused on bringing fans together through their shared love of esports and providing them with first-class entertainment experiences. Washington, D.C. provides the perfect location to realize this ambition, where we are excited to partner with Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Events DC to bring the Spring Finals to a city with such a rich history of hosting premier sporting events.”
“The BLAST Premier Spring Final is a dynamic event to host at the Entertainment & Sports Arena. We welcome Counter-Strike fans to Washington, D.C., a growing hub for the global esports community,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. “This partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment and BLAST Premier enables Events DC to showcase even more experiences that engage, excite and entertain visitors from around the world.”
“Monumental Sports is excited to welcome the world-renowned BLAST competition, elite Counter-Strike athletes and global fans, showcasing our warm hospitality and incredible facilities,” said Zach Leonsis, President of Media and New Enterprises for Monumental Sports & Entertainment. . “The Washington, DC region has a very dedicated esports fanbase and is a market ripe for accelerated growth. When long-time and new esports fans see the energy and excitement in District E this summer, we know it will catalyze that trajectory.”
Events DC’s 4,000-seat Entertainment & Sports Arena opened in 2018 and is the modern home of the WNBA Washington Mystics and the NBA G League Capital City Go-Go’s. The multi-purpose venue hosts a wide variety of entertainment, from concerts to wrestling, basketball, esports and more. Further activity will also be held at District E Powered by Ticketmaster, which will debut in March 2023 as a new esports and entertainment venue in downtown DC developed by Monumental Sports & Entertainment.
BLAST Premier is the world’s premier Counter-Strike tournament series, hosting the best players and teams, giving opportunities to regions around the world and crowning CS:GO World Champions. Up to 32 of the world’s best teams compete in seven BLAST Premier events throughout the year with a total prize pool of $2,475,000.
Six teams will confirm their spot in Washington, D.C., during this week’s BLAST Premier Spring Groups, currently taking place at the BLAST studios in Copenhagen, Denmark. The remaining two teams will be made up of the winners of each regional Spring Showdown (April 12 – 16).
BLAST.tv will be the home of BLAST Premier in 2023, where fans can be closer to the action than ever before. Innovative and fan-first viewing features will allow fans to customize their viewing experience, relive key and exciting moments and influence the action unfolding before their eyes.
