BLAST Premier Rivals 2025, an international flagship esports contest, will take place in Hong Kong for the first time, from November 12 to 16 at the Asia World-Arena.
Eight of the world's best teams specialized in video game Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) will clash for a thrilling showdown, with US$1 million in prize money on the line.
It will be the SAR’s largest-ever esports event, and the first esports event to receive the “M” Mark status from the government's Major Sports Events Committee.
The organizer expects the tournament to attract esports enthusiasts from Hong Kong, mainland China, and Europe, with over 11,000 spectators attending daily.
Sports commissioner George Tsoi Kin-pan said the BLAST tournament in Hong Kong highlights the city's appeal as an international hub for sporting events.
Noting that esports involves programming, hardware design, and marketing, Tsoi believes it will boost related industries and foster an innovative ecosystem.
Ryan Chow, chairman of the Esports Association of Hong Kong, China, pointed out that BLAST Premier, a world championship, marks the city's first top-tier esports contest.
He hoped the event would boost Hong Kong’s global competitiveness, create a vibrant esports atmosphere, and drive local industry growth.
“This will attract more international tournaments and companies to establish a presence in Hong Kong, promote the prosperity of related tourism industries, and elevate Hong Kong’s status in the global esports scene,” Chow said.
James Woollard, director of market development at BLAST, said: “This event will combine world-class competition, state-of-the-art production and a uniquely local cultural experience to create an unforgettable moment for fans in Hong Kong, Asia and around the globe.”
Leo Matlock, the tournament’s chief business officer, highlighted Hong Kong’s passionate esports fanbase and its appeal as a tourist destination, making it an ideal location for international events.
Matlock expressed hopes of hosting the grand finals in Hong Kong annually, fostering connections among esports enthusiasts and strengthening the global esports community.
The BLAST tournament is organized in collaboration with the Esports Association of Hong Kong, China and supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
It will feature eight top global teams, including four best squads from CS2’s Valve Regional Standings, and four “regional wildcards” from Europe, North America, South America and Asia.
Tickets for the event are expected to go on sale in the coming weeks. Fans can sign up to BLAST.tv for access to presale tickets.
Counter-Strike is a multiplayer tactical first-person shooter video game, in which two teams, the Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists, compete to complete various objectives. CS2 is the game’s latest version, released in 2023.
(Jamie Liu)
