Blast Pro Series
The BLAST Pro Series was a major international Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament series that ran from 2017 to 2019. Created by the Danish esports organizer RFRSH Entertainment, it was known for its fast-paced, two-day events held in major cities worldwide. The series was succeeded in 2020 by the league-format BLAST Premier.
| Founded | 2017 |
|---|---|
| First held | 2017-11-24 |
| Last held | 2019-12-14 |
| Game | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive |
| Format | Two-day tournament |
| Teams per event | 6 |
| Cumulative Prize Pool | $3,000,000 USD |
| Fate | Succeeded by BLAST Premier |
| Organizer | RFRSH Entertainment (BLAST) |
Origins and Concept
The BLAST Pro Series was created in 2017 by RFRSH Entertainment, a Danish esports organization later known simply as BLAST. Its primary goal was to deliver a condensed and spectator-friendly tournament experience. The format was built around bringing six top teams together for a fast-paced competition that concluded over just two days.
This structure was designed to fit a busy esports calendar and appeal to both hardcore fans and casual viewers. The inaugural event took place in November 2017 at The Royal Arena in Copenhagen, drawing a crowd of 12,000 Counter-Strike fans and setting the tone for the series. The organizer aimed to attract casual fans to esports through this focused event model.
Tournament Format and Global Reach
Each BLAST Pro Series event followed a consistent format. The six invited teams first competed in a single round-robin group stage, where every team played each other once. This led directly to a grand final match between the two top-ranked teams to decide the champion. All this action was packed into a shortened two-day schedule.
The series was international, with events rotating through major cities across the world. This strategy helped the tournament build a worldwide audience. For instance, the series made its United States debut with an event in Miami, explicitly focusing on attracting a broader, more casual fanbase to esports. This approach of moving between global locations was a defining feature of the Pro Series.
The Global Final and Series Conclusion
The competitive season culminated in a year-end championship called the BLAST Pro Series Global Finals. The first and only Global Final was held in December 2019 in Bahrain. Qualification was based on yearly performance, with the four best-performing teams from the year's regular events earning a spot in this exclusive tournament.
This final event featured a significant prize pool of $500,000. It served as the grand finale for the entire BLAST Pro Series era, which officially concluded in December 2019 after running for just over two years. The event in Bahrain marked the end of the tournament series in its original form.
Evolution into BLAST Premier
The BLAST Pro Series was discontinued after the 2019 season. It was not simply canceled but evolved into a new, more expansive competitive structure. The organizer replaced the standalone tournament series with a full league system named BLAST Premier, which launched in early 2020.
BLAST Premier built directly on the foundation and brand recognition established by the Pro Series. While the Pro Series featured short, intense tournaments, BLAST Premier introduced a longer seasonal format with multiple stages and a clearer path to a world final. This shift reflected the organizer's move towards a more structured, league-based competition for professional Counter-Strike.
Organizer and Broader Activities
The tournament was created and run by RFRSH Entertainment, which operates under the name BLAST. This organization is a top-tier esports tournament organizer. While the Pro Series was focused solely on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the parent company hosts events in several other major game titles including Rainbow Six Siege, Rocket League, Fortnite, and Dota 2.
The organization also maintains a digital hub for fans called BLAST.tv. This platform provides tournament schedules, live scores, statistics, and fantasy mini-games for competitive esports, continuing the fan engagement focus that began with the Pro Series events.
Legacy and Financial Impact
During its run from 2017 to 2019, the BLAST Pro Series distributed a total of $3 million in prize money across its events. It successfully carved out a niche with its compact, city-based tournament model that emphasized fan experience and high-level play over a prolonged schedule.
The series proved the viability of a premium, international tournament circuit outside of the traditional Major championships. Its direct successor, BLAST Premier, has grown into a major professional league, demonstrating the lasting influence of the Pro Series concept. The model of fast-paced, geographically diverse events continues to influence how tournaments are presented to audiences.
FAQ
What was the BLAST Pro Series?
The BLAST Pro Series was an international Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament series that ran from 2017 to 2019. It featured six-team tournaments held over two days in various global cities, organized by RFRSH Entertainment.
When did the BLAST Pro Series start and end?
The first BLAST Pro Series event was held on November 24, 2017, in Copenhagen. The series concluded with its final Global Final event in Bahrain on December 14, 2019.
What happened to the BLAST Pro Series?
The BLAST Pro Series was discontinued after 2019. It was succeeded by a new league-style competition called BLAST Premier, which launched in early 2020.
How many teams competed in each BLAST Pro Series event?
Each regular BLAST Pro Series tournament featured exactly six invited teams. They competed in a round-robin group stage followed by a grand final, all within a two-day timeframe.
What was the BLAST Pro Series Global Final?
The Global Final was the year-end championship for the BLAST Pro Series. The top four teams from the year's events qualified to compete for a $500,000 prize pool, with the first edition held in Bahrain in December 2019.
Source: English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), rewritten by the Redington Cybersport desk.
