BLAST has confirmed that they will return to Texas for the upcoming Premier Rivals S1 2026 Counter-Strike 2 event.
The tournament, set to take place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, will feature eight elite CS2 teams who will battle it out for a shot at the lion’s share of a $1 million USD prize pool. Scheduled to kick off on April 29th, the event will deliver five days of intense competitive CS action, culminating in the crowning of a champion on May 3rd.
The tournament will pit the teams in a double-elimination group stage, followed by a six-team playoff bracket, with the BO5 grand final set to take place on May 3rd.
The last three days of the event will be held in front of a live audience.
“The Fort Worth Sports Commission is proud to continue our partnership with BLAST, building on the momentum of major 2024 events like the Fortnite Championship Series Global Championship and Rocket League World Championship,” Cassie Poss, Interim Executive Director for the Fort Worth Sports Commission, said in a statement. “With world-class venues like Dickies Arena, Fort Worth is solidifying its place as a global esports destination. We look forward to welcoming fans worldwide and showcasing the hospitality that defines our city.”
The eight teams participating in BLAST Premier Rivals Season 1 2026 will include four directly invited teams based on the top positions in the Valve Regional Standings, while the remaining four slots will be filled through regional rankings from Europe, North America, South America, and Asia.