BLAST Premier circuit will reportedly expand to house 16 teams from 2024 onwards adding 4 new teams to the already partnered 12 teams that will participate in the events throughout the year.
BLAST has been one of the most iconic brands of tournaments in the history of Counter-Strike. They are recognizable by their state-of-the-art production quality and the sheer number of events throughout the year. According to a report by HLTV, BLAST has planned to transition from a closed circuit to an open one as they offer one final year for teams to join as affiliated partners.
The final four slots will go for $350,000 each at the minimum hinting at a bidding war for teams to get in with the winner liable to pay the sum within the first quarter of 2024. After multiple teams sold their slots for significant money, BLAST was aware of the increasing demand for slots in their tournaments.
The opening up of the Blast circuit comes after Valve announced that the participants are to be selected following the official rankings or an open qualifier as organizers are no longer allowed to host officially closed circuit tournaments starting from 2025.
“We are as excited as ever to continue to innovate the esports viewing experience and take our tournaments to all corners of the world,” said BLAST Premier in their statement.
The news teams will join the circuit just in time for the Spring Groups, i.e. end of January, and will compete for the individual tournament prize pool however they will not be privy to the lion’s share from the BLAST Premier’s prize pool as a part of the special regulations enforced by teams who will be partners starting the 2024 season.
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