Global competitive entertainment company BLAST, in partnership with Live Nation, the Fort Worth Sports Commission, and C3 Presents, is bringing some of the biggest names in esports to Dickies Arena April 29 to May 3 for BLAST Premier Rivals Fort Worth 2026.
Billed as “the biggest Counter-Strike event out there,” the eight elite Counter-Strike teams set to compete for a share of the $1 million prize pool are Vitality, FURIA, NAVI, Astralis, G2, FaZe, GamerLegion and FUT. Not only are these teams the best but they are “notoriously known for being true rivals,” BLAST says, and will deliver high-energy, entertaining competition.
Counter-Strike is one of the world’s most popular esports titles, with over 20 years of competitive history and a huge global fan base, BLAST noted.
eSports contests and teams draw fans
The Fort Worth event signals BLAST’s return to Texas following last year’s successful BLAST.tv Austin Major, which sold out four days at the Moody Center arena in less than six hours, breaking several esports records and making it one of the most popular esports events ever hosted in North America, the company said.
The Fort Worth event also builds on the momentum of two major global championships held at Dickies Arena in 2024: the Fortnite Championship Series Global Championship and the Rocket League World Championship, both of which brought thousands of fans to the city and millions more watching online around the world.
With a crowded field made up of world champions, fan favorites, and rising contenders, BLAST Premier Rivals Fort Worth five days of elite competition. Among the contenders are Team Vitality, returning to Texas after taking the trophy at last year’s BLAST.tv Austin Major, and defending champions of BLAST Rivals and Brazilian powerhouse FURIA, while other teams like GamerLegion, FUT, NAVI, Astralis, and G2 bring some of Counter-Strike’s top players to Dickies Arena.
Additionally, FaZe Clan, a global giant and massively popular team, recently moved its headquarters to Frisco, and will represent the Lone Star State in the competition.
More on the Fort Worth event
In the first few days of competition, teams will progress through group stages before the final three days take place in front of a live audience at Dickies Arena.
BLAST Premier Rivals Fort Worth expands on BLAST’s growing presence in North America as the company grows its live esports footprint across the United States. The tournament will be broadcast in more than 30 languages across more than 100 territories, reaching millions of fans worldwide.
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