BLAST has signed a one-year partnership with MATCH, the hospitality company behind fan travel at four consecutive FIFA World Cups, to build premium travel experiences and related commercial opportunities across its 2026 and 2027 events. Announced in June 2026, the deal starts immediately, with the first focus on the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals event in November, as esports event infrastructure increasingly borrows from traditional sports hospitality.
What the BLAST and MATCH Deal Covers
The agreement runs for one year and spans premium fan travel packages and commercial opportunities across BLAST events in 2026 and 2027, beginning with the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals 2026. Beyond the travel programmes themselves, MATCH will bring its network of clients, sponsors, federations, agents and media partners to support international attendance and partner activation, along with its technology and operational infrastructure. BLAST VP of Destinations and Market Development James Woollard framed it as a way to scale up for a growing travelling fanbase. “We are thrilled to partner with MATCH, a company with an unrivalled track record in delivering top-tier fan travel experiences at the biggest sporting events in the world,” he said. “As BLAST continues to grow globally and attract growing numbers of travelling fans, this partnership represents an exciting opportunity to further elevate the live event experience for fans and audiences across esports.”
MATCH’S Traditional-Sports Pedigree
MATCH is best known for hospitality and accommodation programmes at major sporting events, including four consecutive FIFA World Cups from 2010 to 2022, as well as Ryder Cup tournaments, Formula 1 Grands Prix and ATP tennis tournaments. Richard Parker, MATCH Director of UK Events and Business Strategy, described esports as a natural next step. “Esports is one of the most exciting growth frontiers in live entertainment, and BLAST stands out as a world-class platform with incredible potential,” he said. “At MATCH, we see a tremendous opportunity to bring our expertise in creating premium fan experiences into the esports arena.”
BLAST’S Growing Live Events Business
The MATCH deal builds on a strong year of live activity for the organiser. Across 2025, BLAST delivered 15 arena shows in 10 countries, spanning five titles, and sold 194,421 tickets, a base of travelling audiences the new partnership is designed to serve with higher-end packages.
The work begins immediately, with the BLAST Premier Hong Kong Rivals in November 2026 set as the first event to carry the MATCH-built premium travel offering as the two companies test how far traditional sports hospitality can stretch into esports.