Official: BLAST to host 2025 Summer Major in Austin

North America will finally get to host its first Major since 2018.

BLAST has announced that it will host the first Counter-Strike Major of 2025 in the United States, as reported by HLTV. The event will mark the return of Counter-Strike's biggest competition to North America after a seven-year absence.

The tournament will take place in June in Austin, Texas, at the Moody Center, a 15,000+ seat multi-purpose arena located on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin. BLAST estimates that Austin will "benefit from $40 million in economic investment from the event with 50,000 fans set to attend the competition."

"We are incredibly excited to bring the BLAST.tv Major to Austin, Texas," said BLAST CEO Robbie Douek. "The city's dynamic atmosphere, the cutting-edge Moody Center and track record of hosting world-leading events provide the perfect setting for what promises to be an unforgettable event.

"We look forward to showcasing the best of esports to a global audience and making a positive impact on the local community."

The announcement of the Austin Major was made live on stream during the first playoff day of the BLAST Premier Spring Final, in London. The tournament organizer also announced the first details about its 2025 event circuit, including stops at the MEO Arena in Lisbon and the Wembley Arena in London.

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BLAST announces 2025 circuit details

The Austin Major will be the first Counter-Strike Major to take place in North America since ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018. Previously, the region hosted the MLG Columbus Major in 2016 and the ELEAGUE Major Atlanta in 2017.

This will be only the second Major to be organized by BLAST, which hosted a CS:GO Major in Paris in 2023. Andrew Haworth, BLAST Premier's Commissioner, said in an interview with HLTV in December that the Paris Major was "a very successful event for BLAST," adding the company would be open to running a Major "in the new ecosystem," one in which partner leagues will no longer exist.