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A Return to European Grounds

BLAST Premier has officially announced that the second BLAST Premier Open 2026 event will take place in Europe, running from August 24th to September 6th, 2026. The two-week Counter-Strike 2 tournament marks another major stop in BLAST’s expanded competitive calendar for next year.

While the event is confirmed for Europe, BLAST has yet to reveal which city will host the second week’s arena stage. The organiser teased fans on social media, asking for guesses, and the community didn’t hold back. Suggestions quickly flooded in, with names like Tampere (Finland), Madrid (Spain), Stockholm (Sweden), and others popping up across X (formerly Twitter).

Two Weeks, Two Venues

According to BLAST’s announcement, the 2026 Open will be split across two consecutive weeks. The first week of action is set for Copenhagen, Denmark, while the second week will shift to a yet-to-be-revealed European city for the Playoffs.

The event, officially known as BLAST Open Fall 2026, will feature 16 teams battling for a $400,000 (~£300,824) prize pool. Team slots will be determined through Valve Regional Standings (VRS) as well as open and closed qualifiers, ensuring a mix of top-tier organisations and rising challengers.

Part of BLAST’s Expanding 2026 Calendar

This tournament is part of BLAST’s ambitious plan to host six Counter-Strike 2 events throughout 2026. Earlier this year, the organiser announced its first 2026 Open, which will head to the Netherlands, with Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena confirmed as the venue for the Playoffs.

The announcement follows BLAST’s earlier commitment to Valve’s Tournament Operations Rulebook, ensuring standardised event operations and fair competition across the global CS2 calendar.

Upgrades and Improvements for 2026

Beyond just expanding its calendar, BLAST has also revealed improvements it intends to roll out next year. These include better player hospitality and accommodation, as well as the ability for teams to bring larger support staff to events.

The changes reflect BLAST’s ongoing effort to refine the player and fan experience at its tournaments. The organiser has earned a strong reputation for its high-production values, smooth event logistics, and immersive stage setups, something fans can expect once again at next year’s European Open.

A Strong Track Record in Europe

Europe has long been a core region for BLAST’s Counter-Strike operations. In 2025, BLAST hosted successful events in Lisbon and London, with Team Vitality and G2 Esports claiming victories respectively.

With another European Open on the way and growing excitement around CS2’s competitive scene, fans are already speculating which city will host the next big arena showdown. Whether it’s in Finland, Spain, or somewhere entirely new, the next BLAST Premier Open promises to deliver another world-class esports spectacle.