BLAST has announced a partnership with Polymarket, naming the platform its Official Prediction Partner for 2026. The deal covers BLAST Premier and BLAST Slam events in Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. The announcement immediately sparked criticism and heated debate within the CS community.
A new vision for fan interaction
BLAST will integrate Polymarket into seven global events throughout 2026, starting with BLAST Slam VI in Malta. The partnership includes:
- branded segments during live broadcasts,
- dedicated desk and studio content,
- on-site integrations at arena events,
- the Polymarket Fancam,
- streaming booths for creators and streamers.
BLAST presents the move as part of its push toward a more interactive, data-driven viewing experience. The goal is to give fans more ways to engage with matches in real time.
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Official statements from both sides
Alexander Lewin, SVP of Commercial Revenue at BLAST, said the partnership reflects how esports continues to evolve:
Esports is becoming a more interactive and data-driven form of entertainment. Together with Polymarket, we want to create an experience that feels natural to esports culture — fast, live, and closely connected to the action.
Polymarket CMO Matthew Modabber described prediction markets as a new alternative to traditional sportsbooks:
Prediction markets offer a more transparent and community-driven way for fans to engage with competition. Partnering with BLAST helps bring that experience to a global esports audience.
Community reaction: from confusion to outrage
The announcement quickly changed the tone of online discussion. Esports media personality Austin Abadir (CooperTV) raised concerns about the ethical side of the partnership:
Are you allowed to predict on your own matches? Technically it’s not gambling, it’s predicting — and Polymarket doesn’t mind insider trading apparently.
His comment triggered a wider debate about conflicts of interest and competitive integrity. Other reactions were even more direct:
- “I thought this was a troll since they didn’t even have a checkmark.”
- “I was really hoping this was a joke. This is awful.”
For many fans, the main issue was not the partnership itself. Instead, they questioned the precedent it sets by closely integrating a prediction market into official tournament broadcasts.
A thin line between interaction and risk
BLAST avoids calling Polymarket a gambling partner and focuses on the term prediction. That distinction remains a key point of criticism. Many fans question where fan interaction ends and integrity risks begin. While Polymarket already works with major traditional sports leagues, esports operates differently. Players, talent, analysts, and online markets often exist much closer to one another.
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What comes next?
BLAST Premier 2026 will visit Rotterdam, Fort Worth, and Hong Kong, alongside the continued expansion of the BLAST Slam circuit. Whether Polymarket becomes a new standard in esports or stays a controversial experiment will depend on how BLAST applies these integrations in practice. For now, one thing is clear: this was not just another partnership announcement. It has become one of the most divisive topics of the season.
