BLAST to Change Format and Increase CS2 Prize Pools in 2027

Tournament operator BLAST has unveiled its plans for Counter-Strike 2 events in 2027. The company announced six tournaments, with one set to take place in Europe and another in Rio de Janeiro. The locations of the remaining championships will be revealed at a later date.

One of the key changes will be the overhaul of the BLAST Bounty series format. By 2027, the number of participating teams will be reduced from 32 to 16, and all matches will be played on LAN. The tournament will be divided into two stages: a group stage using a Double Elimination system and playoffs in a Single Elimination format. The prize pool will increase to $1.25 million. Participants will include teams invited via the VRS ranking and winners of regional qualifiers.

The BLAST Open series will also transition entirely to LAN. The first week of the tournament will be held in a studio or hotel setting, while the second week will take place in an arena with a live audience. The format will remain unchanged, but the prize pool will also rise to $1.25 million.

BLAST Rivals tournaments in 2027 will retain their current structure, though their prize pools will likewise be increased to $1.25 million.

In total, BLAST plans to invest approximately $10 million into the CS2 ecosystem in 2027 - $1.5 million more than in 2026. Of this amount, $3 million will go toward prize pools, $4.5 million will be allocated to club payments, and the remaining $2.5 million will be distributed as additional bonuses to organizations.

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The expansion of LAN formats and increased funding underline BLAST’s commitment to strengthening CS2’s position on the international stage and making its tournaments more prestigious and competitive.