The 2026 esports calendar will gain another landmark location as BLAST Premier heads to the Netherlands for the first time in its history. The final stage of BLAST Open Season 1 will take place from March 27 to 29 at the iconic Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, bringing together six of the world’s best teams to battle for their share of the $1.1 million prize pool.
From Copenhagen to Rotterdam: the Road to the Arena
As in previous seasons, the BLAST Open group stage will be played at the organizer’s studios in Copenhagen. Sixteen participants will begin their journey there: 12 teams will receive direct invites via Valve Regional Standings (VRS), while four more will advance through open qualifiers.
Only the top six squads will earn the right to step onto the big stage in Rotterdam. With fewer playoff spots than usual, the competition promises to be extremely fierce, and every match in the group stage will carry significant weight.
Our next BLAST Open location is… Rotterdam! 🇳🇱
We'll be heading to the Ahoy Arena on the 27th-29th of March 2026, making our first BLAST appearance in the Netherlands!
👉 https://t.co/y4oyQnJ4e6#BLASTPremier pic.twitter.com/l0KyEiyhsM
— BLAST Premier 💥 (@BLASTPremier) September 4, 2025
A Historic Debut in the Netherlands
This will mark BLAST’s first-ever tournament on Dutch soil. Rotterdam Ahoy is no stranger to major events, having hosted the LEC Spring Finals 2019, DreamHack Open Rotterdam 2019, and ESL Challenger Rotterdam 2022. But for the first time, Counter-Strike fans will gather in this arena for an event run by one of the most spectacular tournament organizers in the industry.
Thanks to the city’s location and strong infrastructure, organizers expect huge interest not only from the Benelux region but also from neighboring Germany, Belgium, and France.
BLAST Returns to LAN After Controversy
This event also carries symbolic weight, as it represents BLAST Open’s return to a full LAN format. The Open London 2025 group stage was played online — a decision that drew heavy criticism from players and clubs. The Falcons even withdrew from the tournament, citing the low impact on VRS compared to the significant time commitment required.
The organizers have taken those lessons to heart: Rotterdam promises fans the atmosphere of a grand arena with a live crowd, world-class show production, and the trademark BLAST broadcast quality.
Organizers’ Statement
Andrew Haworth, BLAST’s SVP of Ecosystem Development, highlighted the symbolic importance of this debut:
We’re incredibly excited to bring BLAST Premier Open to Rotterdam, opening up a brand-new country for us. The Netherlands has a passionate esports fanbase, and Ahoy Arena will be the perfect stage for the next chapter of BLAST. Fans can look forward to world-class Counter-Strike, unforgettable moments, and the trademark BLAST atmosphere.
What This Means for the Scene
BLAST Open Rotterdam will stand as an important milestone in the growth of the European scene. Hosting the tournament in the Netherlands not only expands the geography of major events but also strengthens competition among Europe’s esports hubs — with Copenhagen, Cologne, Paris, and now Rotterdam.
For fans, it’s a chance to watch their favorite teams on one of Europe’s most vibrant stages. For BLAST, it’s an opportunity to show that the Open format can combine the intensity of the group stage with the atmosphere of a full-scale LAN final.
