The BLAST.tv Major will take place in May 2023 and be the first CS:GO Major to take place in France, the country’s first Counter-Strike Major and Blast’s first time hosting one of the biggest esports events in the world.
“Blast has always had an ambition and dream to be involved in a major, an event that is rightly viewed as the pinnacle of esports and competitive gaming,” said Chief Executive Officer Robbie Douek. “We’ve been watching and waiting for the right moment to deliver an unforgettable Major. The time is now, with the BLAST.tv Major 2023. Over the last few years we’ve been working hard to deliver the best esports entertainment on the planet, and more recently investing in a digital platform that will allow fans to get even closer to these experiences.
This announcement follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments in April when he said France should host esports events and become the ‘country of video games.’ The event will be in France to start a stretch that includes the 2023 Rugby World Cup, 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Paris and the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.
The venue for the Major will be Paris’ Accor Arena, which has been host to the Paris Master ATP Tour event alongside a multitude of concerts and performances with a capacity of 20,000 spectators.
“Paris is the world class location to host the tournament and will precede another high-profile international event in the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics,” Douek said. “Next year marks 10 years of majors and we are highly confident of marking this occasion by delivering the greatest major to date for CS:GO fans to experience and enjoy.”