FiReSPORTS CEO Rodrigo Figueroa Reyes has revealed how the tournament organizer secured the rights to host the 2027 Counter-Strike Major in Buenos Aires. Speaking in an interview with Dust2 Brasil, he explained that Valve had followed the company’s development for several years before selecting it to organize the event.
Figueroa also discussed ticket sales, support from the Buenos Aires government and plans to expand the tournament circuit after the Major. According to the CEO, 60% of the stadium capacity for the four playoff days has already been sold.
Valve approached FiRe about hosting a Major in 2022
According to Figueroa, Valve first expressed interest in FiRe organizing a Major in 2022 after observing its previous tournaments and unusual event concepts. The company communicated with Valve representatives Brian Levinthal and Ido Magal, who encouraged FiRe to demonstrate its ability to organize large-scale events.
FiRe initially submitted a 125-page proposal during the selection process. Valve responded positively but requested a shorter document for future applications, suggesting that 25 pages would be enough after reviewing the company’s previous work.
The organizer also decided to demonstrate its capabilities through an unusual Counter-Strike event held in the Buenos Aires subway rather than repeating a traditional arena tournament. Figueroa revealed that FiRe received confirmation on June 9, 2025, during the BLAST.tv Austin Major.
According to the CEO, Valve wanted to work with tournament organizers beyond the established companies and considered the different approaches taken by FiRe an important factor in the decision.
FiRe has already sold 60% of stadium capacity
Figueroa also addressed criticism surrounding ticket prices for the 2027 Major. He explained that confusion arose because the initial presale offered special prices for Argentine fans, while the later general sale introduced higher prices. Despite the complaints, the CEO reported strong early sales, with 60% of the stadium capacity already sold across all four playoff days.
The arena is expected to accommodate approximately 14,000 spectators, with a total capacity of around 15,000 when invited guests are included. The most expensive four-day ticket package costs $700, which Figueroa compared with packages costing approximately $1,200 at other Majors. He defended the pricing and claimed that FiRe offers the cheapest Major tickets in Counter-Strike history.
Buenos Aires government supports Major preparations
The CEO confirmed that the Buenos Aires city government has supported preparations for the tournament. According to Figueroa, Mayor Jorge Macri has followed the project since attending an earlier FiRe event at Movistar Arena. The city has provided logistical assistance and access to facilities rather than relying primarily on direct financial contributions.
FiRe plans to use Usina del Arte for the earlier stages of the tournament. The venue has two auditoriums, potentially allowing spectators to attend matches before the arena playoffs. The organizer is considering different audience arrangements, including spaces for approximately 1,000 and 300 people.
The company is also strengthening its production team, bringing 27 European broadcast specialists to work alongside approximately 20 local staff members. Figueroa emphasized that providing professional equipment, suitable practice conditions and a comfortable environment for players remains the main priority.
FiRe plans more international tournaments after the Major
FiRe also intends to expand its Counter-Strike operations beyond the Buenos Aires Major. According to Figueroa, the company’s long-term goal is to organize one tier-one tournament annually with a $1,000,000 prize pool, potentially in Argentina, Brazil or Spain.
The proposed circuit would also feature four regional events with $250,000 prize pools, covering South America, North America, Europe and Asia. Additionally, FiRe wants to continue organizing Last Chance tournaments shortly before the Valve Regional Standings cutoff for Major invitations.
These plans remain ambitions rather than confirmed future events. For now, the priority is delivering the 2027 Buenos Aires Major, which will mark the first Counter-Strike Major hosted in Argentina.
