Esports entertainment company BLAST has officially revealed the teams that will travel to Austin for the first Austin esports arena event: the BLAST.tv Austin Major, which will take over the city from June 3 through June 22, 2025.
The BLAST.tv Austin Major will feature 32 of the world’s top Counter-Strike teams competing for a $1.25 million prize pool, from June 3 to June 22, with June 19-22 taking place at a packed-out Moody Center.
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The milestone event, in partnership with Live Nation, C3 Presents, and the Austin Sports Commission, is anticipated to be one of the largest esports events ever hosted in the United States. It will have an estimated direct economic impact of $30M+, with over 40,000 attendees in person and millions more watching online across 105+ territories in more than 30 languages.
While playoffs are sold out, fans can tune in via the global stream at www.blast.tv. For the full schedule line-up, go here.
The Texan Teams joining BLAST.tv Austin Major
Among the qualified teams heading to the Major is Complexity Gaming, the Texas-based powerhouse from Frisco, proudly representing the Lone Star State on its home turf. Complexity, founded in 2003 by Jason Lake, competed at the first-ever Counter-Strike Major in 2013, showcasing a deep legacy with the game.
Jason Lake, founder and CEO of Complexity Gaming, said, “Complexity is thrilled to be competing at the BLAST.tv Austin Major against the best teams in the world. We’re grateful to BLAST and its partners for returning to Texas, the birthplace of competitive Counter-Strike. I’m confident our passionate American fans will make this Major both memorable and historic.”
Another Texas-based team that has qualified for the Major is Wildcard, based out of Houston and founded in 2017.
John Griffin, CEO of Wildcard, said, “Wildcard has had this Major circled on our calendar since it was announced, with Austin being in our backyard, we’re excited for the Counter-Strike world to get a chance to experience our state capital. Qualifying for the event is a major milestone for the organization, and we hope to provide our best level of competition to date.”
Other notable standouts to the roster
Notably, the U.S. will see the largest increase in qualified players between Majors of any country and is now the third most represented nationality at the Major, underscoring the rapid rise of North American talent on the world stage. Additional American teams include Team Liquid, M80, and NRG, which are part-owned by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal.
Shaquille O’Neal, Co-Founder of NRG: “I’ll be rooting for the NRG boys at the upcoming BLAST.tv Austin Major as they represent America on our home turf here in the U.S. The Major isn’t just another event — it’s the pinnacle of esports, where the best of the best go head-to-head on the world’s biggest stage. To have this milestone event in Austin, with NRG in the fight, is something truly special, and I can’t wait to see them battle it out.”
The tournament structure includes three Swiss-system stages followed by a single-elimination playoff bracket. Teams qualified either through direct invitations based on Regional Standings from Valve (game publisher of Counter-Strike) or via regional qualifiers.
BLAST.tv Major dates and schedule:
- Phase One: June 3rd-6th | Downtown Austin (closed to public)
- Phase Two: June 7th-10th | Downtown Austin (closed to public)
- Phase Three: June 12th-15th | Downtown Austin (closed to public)
- Playoffs: June 19th-22nd | Moody Center (SOLD OUT)
