BLAST Austin Major 2025: Format, Prize Pool, and Complete Tournament Details
TLDR:
- Dates: June 3-22, 2025 at Austin’s Moody Center
- First-ever 32-team CS2 Major with $1.25 million prize pool
- Three stages plus playoffs using Swiss system format
- Major Regional Qualifiers (MRQ) run April 14-17
- First US Major since 2018
- Expected attendance: 50,000+ fans
Tournament Overview
The BLAST.tv Austin Major marks several milestones for Counter-Strike esports: * First US Major in seven years * First 32-team Major in CS history * BLAST’s second Major after Paris 2023 * Expected to reach millions of viewers across 150+ territories
Prize Pool Distribution
The $1.25 million prize pool will be distributed among the top eight teams:
| Placement | Prize Money | Teams Advancing |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $500,000 | Champion Title |
| 2nd | TBA | – |
| 3rd-4th | TBA | – |
| 5th-8th | $45,000 | – |
Tournament Structure & Schedule
Week 1: Play-in Stage (June 3-7)
Format: Swiss System – 16 teams from MRQ qualifiers – Best-of-one (BO1) initial matches – Best-of-three (BO3) advancement/elimination matches – Top 8 teams advance to Stage 1 – Watch on Twitch
Week 2: Main Tournament (June 8-15)
Stage 1 (June 8-10)
- 16 teams (8 from Play-in + 8 invited)
- Swiss System format
- All elimination/advancement matches are BO3
- Top 8 advance to Stage 2
- Watch on YouTube
Stage 2 (June 11-13)
- 16 teams compete
- Swiss System continues
- All matches BO3
- Top 8 advance to Stage 3
- Live Stats & Results
Stage 3 (June 14-15)
- Final 16 teams battle
- Swiss System format
- All matches BO3
- Top 8 qualify for playoffs
- Match Schedule
Week 3: Playoffs at Moody Center (June 20-22)
Format: Single Elimination Bracket – Quarter-finals: June 20 – Semi-finals: June 21 – Grand Final: June 22 – All matches best-of-three (BO3) – Get Tickets
Qualification Process
Major Regional Qualifiers (MRQ)
Dates: April 14-17, 2025 Invite Distribution: April 7, 2025 (based on VRS Rankings)
Europe & Americas
- 16 teams per region
- Swiss System format
- Top 5 → Stage 1
- Next 3 → Play-in Stage
- European Qualifiers Stream
- Americas Qualifiers Stream
Asia
- 8 teams total
- Two double-elimination groups
- Top team per group → Stage 1
- Next 2 per group → Play-in Stage
- Asian Qualifiers Stream
Venue Information
The Moody Center in Austin, Texas
Address: 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
Capacity: 15,000+ for esports configuration * Venue Map * Parking Information * Local Hotels
Ticket Options
Get more details on bookings at MoodyCenter
- General Admission: Available Soon
- Premium Seating: Available Soon
- VIP Experience: Available Soon
- Join Waiting List
Broadcast Details
Watch the event live: Twitch.tv/BLASTPremier
- Available in 28 languages
- Full production with expert analysis
- In-depth match statistics
Historical Context
The last US-hosted Major, ELEAGUE Boston 2018, remains a historic moment in Counter-Strike history: * North American team Cloud9 won their first Major * Considered one of the greatest Major finals * Set attendance records for its time * Watch the Historic Final
Looking Ahead
The BLAST Austin Major represents a significant evolution in Counter-Strike’s competitive landscape. The expanded 32-team format, combined with the return to US soil and BLAST’s production expertise, positions this as potentially one of the most significant esports events of 2025.
Teams will begin their journey through the MRQs in April, with all paths leading to what promises to be an unforgettable three weeks of competition in June at the Moody Center.
Stay tuned for updates on qualified teams, detailed schedule, and broadcast talent announcements. Follow @BLASTtv for the latest news.
About the Game
