There’s plenty of change coming to Counter-Strike in 2025, but there will be some familiar events too.
BLAST Rivals, the culmination of the BLAST tournament season, will be a familiar setting for the World’s best Counter-Strike teams.
Resembling the current BLAST Premier Finals structure, it will see the top eight Valve Global Ranked teams go head-to-head in a battle of the elite to see who is crowned the best of the best.
Andrew Haworth, VP of Valve & Riot ecosystems at BLAST, explains:
"2025 will see us work closely with more teams throughout the year, and that’s really exciting. We’ll have wider-reaching tournaments and will get to build relationships with more teams and players."
BLAST Rivals will bring fans closer than ever before to the best teams in the world as the eight highest-ranked teams in the Valve Global Ranking come together to face off for a week of tense Counter-Strike action.
The eight teams will face off in a BO3 GSL format, which will lead into a six-team playoff with Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and a BO5 Grand Final.
This structure ensures that every match is critical, and only the most consistent and high-performing teams will reach the final showdown.
Haworth notes:
"We want to be different to the rest, stand out event and makes every tournament has a winner and a crowning moment.”
SEASON 1 - Spring 2025
SEASON 2 - Fall 2025
BLAST Rivals promises to be a thrilling climax to each season, where the best teams compete not only for glory but also for substantial financial rewards. With innovative formats, dynamic prize pools, and a commitment to showcasing the best of Counter-Strike, BLAST 2025 is set to be a groundbreaking year for both players and fans.
BLAST Rivals is where the top eight teams from the Valve Global Ranking face off in a battle to determine the best of the best. The tournament follows a GSL format with BO3 matches, culminating in a BO5 grand final, maintaining the excitement and high stakes of BLAST Premier's legacy.
Andrew Haworth encapsulates the vision for BLAST 2025:
"We’re incredibly excited about the formats we’ve developed and the investment we are offering the teams. We’re focused on doing what we do best, and if we do, I know fans and teams will be excited about and entertained by BLAST Premier tournaments in 2025 and beyond."
BLAST ApS., Hauser Plads 1, 3., 1127 Copenhagen