Washington, D.C. to Host Leading Esports Event BLAST Premier Spring Final in June
Events DC and Monumental Sports & Entertainment have partnered with BLAST to bring the global Counter-Strike event to Washington, D.C.
Eight of the world’s best teams will compete for the lion’s share of a $450,000 prize pool and a spot in December’s World Final
Will form part of an exciting month-long celebration in June along with other popular events hosted in D.C.
Washington, D.C. – January 27, 2023 – BLAST has teamed up with Events DC and Monumental Sports & Entertainment to bring its global esports tournament the BLAST Premier Spring Final to Washington, D.C. in June 2023.
Hosted at Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, D.C., the Spring Final will run from June 7th-11th and feature eight of the world’s biggest esports teams, battling for the first BLAST Premier trophy of 2023, a share of the event's $450,000 prize pool and a place in the prestigious World Final. Activity will also take place at District E Powered by Ticketmaster, which will debut in March 2023 as a new esports and entertainment destination in downtown DC, developed by Monumental Sports & Entertainment.
Last year, there were 532 million esports viewers worldwide. The market is valued at $1.44 billion as of 2023, with this number set to reach $5.48 billion by the year 2029.
BLAST Premier is a worldwide Counter-Strike tournament series where the best teams and biggest superstars fight it out for glory. Famous for its unparalleled production quality and game-changing fan-first moments - the tournament series has attracted tens-of-thousands of fans to live events in big arenas from London and Copenhagen to Miami and Sao Paulo, with millions more watching at home on broadcast from more than 150 territories and in 25 different languages.
Charlotte Kenny, Managing Director for BLAST Premier, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring the BLAST Premier Spring Final to Washington, D.C. in June. The nation’s capital is the perfect location to host our first arena event of 2023, with the United States proving to be home to some of esports' most talented players and passionate fans. BLAST is focused on uniting fans through their shared love of esports and providing them with first-class entertainment experiences. We are excited to be partnering with Events DC and Monumental Sports & Entertainment to bring the Spring Final to a city with such a rich history of hosting leading sporting events.”
“The BLAST Premier Spring Final is a dynamic event to host at the Entertainment & Sports Arena. We welcome Counter-Strike fans to Washington, D.C., a growing hub for the global esports community,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. “This partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment and BLAST Premier gives Events DC the opportunity to showcase more experiences that engage, excite and entertain visitors from around the world.”
“Monumental Sports is thrilled to welcome the world-renowned BLAST competition, the elite Counter-Strike athletes and global fans with a showcase of our warm hospitality and incredible facilities,” said Zach Leonsis, President, Media and New Enterprises at Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “The Washington, D.C. region has so many die-hard esports fans and it is a market ripe for accelerated growth. Once long-term and new esports fans see the energy and excitement at District E this summer, we know that will catalyze that trajectory.”
The BLAST Premier Spring Final will form part of June’s month-long ‘DC State of Mind’ celebration where there will be something for everyone to enjoy, joining Capital Pride, Giant National Capital BBQ Battle and the Smithsonian FolkLife Festival as a month with something for everyone in our nation’s capital.
Opened in 2018, Events DC’s 4,000 seat Entertainment & Sports Arena is the state-of-the-art home to the WNBA Washington Mystics and NBA G League Capital City Go-Go. The multi-purpose venue hosts a wide range of entertainment from concerts, boxing, basketball, esports, wrestling and more.
The United States capital will host the first BLAST event to take place in the U.S. since 2019, following on from the BLAST Pro Series in Los Angeles, California where US-based Team Liquid lifted the trophy.
The announcement and partnership aligns with BLAST’s on-going commitment to reaching new audiences, delivering incredible experiences in state-of-the-art arenas and bringing esports closer to those who love it most.
BLAST imagery and media bank: http://news.cision.com/blast
About BLAST
We’re on a mission to take esports to the next level of global entertainment. We excite and invite billions of fans to join the esports revolution. We create live and digital experiences - from tournaments that pack out major arenas around the world to great content that’s guaranteed to blow your socks off.
We work with some of the world’s best game publishers and brands to elevate their properties into amazing esports experiences - having delivered tournaments, content and shows in a variety of games, including: CS:GO, Rainbow Six Siege, DOTA 2, VALORANT, Apex Legends, FIFA 2022 and Fortnite.
Over the last year, we’ve been working with Fortnite to develop industry leading, year-round, calendar of exciting and competitive esports events. Following last year’s FNCS All-Star Showdown and FNCS Grand Royale tournaments, we’re now operating the entire FNCS Chapter 3 broadcast schedule during each Fortnite Season for 2022.
BLAST Premier is a worldwide Counter-Strike tournament series where the best teams and biggest superstars fight it out for glory and a multi-million dollar prize pool. Famous for its unparalleled production quality and game-changing fan-first moments. Attracting tens-of-thousands of fans to our crazy-big-adrenaline-pumped live events in big arenas from London and Copenhagen to Miami and Sao Paulo, with millions more watching at home on our broadcast tuning in from more than 150 territories and in 25 different languages.
About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in direct economic impact and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment Project at www.RFKFields.com . Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC) — and on our new hub for live and on-demand event programming on GATHER by Events DC at www.gatherbyeventsdc.com
About Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Monumental Sports & Entertainment is America’s leading sports and entertainment family. Our people, players, teams, and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans, and our people. To learn more, please visit www.monumentalsports.com.
