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BLAST Heads to Hong Kong for the Grand Finale

The stage is set for one of Counter-Strike 2’s final showdowns of the year as BLAST Rivals Hong Kong kicks off on 12 November 2025. The event, part of the BLAST Premier Rivals Season 2 circuit, will see eight top teams from across the globe compete for US$350,000 and the honour of closing out the BLAST calendar in style.

Hosted in partnership with M Mark Events, the Hong Kong stop is the last major before the StarLadder Budapest Major, meaning every round will be crucial for momentum and bragging rights heading into 2026.

Opening Day Matchups Revealed

BLAST officially revealed the full Day 1 schedule, and it’s shaping up to be a blockbuster opening. The action begins at 9:40 AM HKT (UTC+8) with a short pre-show before the matches get underway.

Here’s the complete lineup for the first day of play:

  • The MongolZ vs Passion UA – 10:00 HKT
  • Spirit vs Falcons – 12:30 HKT
  • FURIA vs paiN – 15:00 HKT
  • Vitality vs TYLOO – 17:30 HKT

For fans around the world, that’s 2:00 AM CET, 1:00 AM GMT, and 9:00 AM NZDT. The schedule ensures fans from all regions can tune in live to catch every play on BLAST.tv.

Spirit vs Falcons: A Clash of Powerhouses

The headline match of the day is undoubtedly Team Spirit vs Falcons, a pairing that has fans buzzing. Both teams have been in impressive form throughout 2025, with Spirit’s Donk continuing his meteoric rise as one of the scene’s brightest stars, while Falcons’ kyousuke has become a fan favourite and one of the most polarising figures in the game.

Social media quickly lit up after the announcement, with memes and fan reactions flooding Twitter (X). “GOATSUKE vs Donk,” one fan wrote, summing up the excitement around the match. Others debated whether the Falcons’ wildcard invite was fair, while some simply called it the “perfect opener” for the Hong Kong tournament.

Group Stage Format Explained

The eight teams are split into two groups of four, following a double-elimination BO3 format. The top team from each group will advance straight to the semi-finals, while the second and third-placed teams move into the quarter-finals.

From there, the tournament transitions into a single-elimination playoff bracket, featuring best-of-three quarter and semi-finals, leading up to a best-of-five grand final.

Group A

  • The MongolZ
  • Spirit
  • Falcons
  • Passion UA

Group B

  • FURIA
  • Vitality
  • TYLOO
  • paiN

Fans have noted that the groups are relatively balanced, with seeding reportedly based on VRS rankings from early October. That put The MongolZ and FURIA as the top seeds in their respective groups.

Community Buzz and Expectations

As always, the CS community had plenty to say. Some questioned why Brazilian squads like FURIA and paiN were matched against each other yet again, while others defended BLAST’s seeding system as fair.

On the lighter side, fans in Hong Kong are thrilled to finally see a major BLAST event on home soil. Tickets for the weekend have already sold briskly, with several local fans sharing their excitement on social media, ready to witness top-tier Counter-Strike live.

Meanwhile, predictions are heating up thanks to the BLAST Rivals Hong Kong Simulator, now live on blast.tv, where fans can simulate matches and share their bracket forecasts.

What’s at Stake

Beyond the prize pool, BLAST Rivals Hong Kong represents the final opportunity for teams to fine-tune their strategies before the Budapest Major. A strong showing here could boost confidence and ranking points heading into one of the most important events of the year.

Whether it’s Donk vs Kyousuke, FURIA’s Brazilian derby, or The MongolZ defending Asian pride on home turf, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to 2025’s Counter-Strike season.

BLAST Rivals Hong Kong begins 12 November, streaming live on BLAST.tv and across official broadcast partners.