Upcoming Partnership Between BLAST and Underdog

BLAST, a well-known esports event organizer, has confirmed a new collaboration with Underdog, a rapidly growing fantasy sports company. This agreement will be valid for three BLAST events set in 2025, which include the BLAST Lisbon Open, BLAST Rivals Spring 2025, and the much-anticipated BLAST.tv Austin Major.

The Kick-Off: BLAST.tv Austin Major

The first event to debut this partnership will be the BLAST.tv Austin Major, scheduled for June 2025. This tournament is significant as it marks the first Major in North America for the popular Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) game since 2018. The Austin Major will also feature a prize pool of $1.25 million and include 32 of the most renowned teams worldwide.

The Shared Vision: More Fan Engagement

Under the agreement, Underdog will add fantasy and prediction games to the Major, providing fans with innovative ways to engage with the tournament beyond conventional viewing. This initiative is set to increase fan involvement by allowing them to take part in fantasy league play related to the Major’s matches. Fans will have the opportunity to create teams, make game predictions, and possibly win rewards based on their chosen players’ performances.

Underdog: More than Just a Fantasy Sports Platform

Underdog is recognized primarily for its fantasy sports platform that incorporates ‘pick’em-style’ contests with both traditional sports and esports games. This partnership with BLAST symbolizes the growing intersection of fantasy gaming and esports betting, and the emergence of new opportunities for fans to engage.

More than Just One Event: The Extended Partnership

This partnership isn’t limited to just the Austin Major. Two additional BLAST Premier arena events in 2025 will also be covered under this alliance, indicating a commitment to maintain this relationship throughout much of the competitive season. Expected to attract a broad international audience, the event will be broadcasted in over 150 territories and in 28 different languages. This aligns with both BLAST and Underdog’s mutual effort to elevate esports’ global appeal.

Evolution of Esports: Fantasy and Betting Integration

While official event coverage largely focuses on aspects like teams, prize pools, and event qualifiers, the inclusion of fantasy games through this partnership underscores the ongoing evolution within the esports industry. Many top-tier tournaments are integrating fantasy and betting elements into their events, and this BLAST and Underdog collaboration appears to align with these trends.