BLAST Open Rotterdam underway
BLAST Open Spring Rotterdam is live with 16 top Counter‑Strike teams competing over nearly two weeks — the event is part of BLAST Premier’s $1.95M 2026 series and feeds invites into the IEM Cologne Major (pley.gg) how‑to‑watch.
The event runs March 18–29, with the group stage scheduled at BLAST Studios in Copenhagen (March 18–23) and the playoffs taking place at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena (March 27–29). (blast.tv) The format uses two double‑elimination (GSL) groups of eight, with each group winner advancing directly to the semifinals while group runners‑up and lower‑bracket survivors move into a six‑team single‑elimination playoff. (hltv.org) BLAST lists the total purse at $1.1 million, with the player share for first place set at $150,000 plus a $100,000 club share (a $250,000 total for the champion). (blast.tv) Participating organizations include Vitality, FaZe, Natus Vincere, Team Liquid, FURIA, MOUZ, Spirit, Ninjas in Pyjamas, 9z, NRG, B8, Aurora, Parivision, The MongolZ, Falcons and TYLOO on the official team list. (hltv.org) Organizers and analysts are billing this as the final Tier‑1 opportunity to earn Global VRS points before the April 6 VRS cutoff for IEM Cologne Major invites, with BLAST having issued 12 direct invites by VRS and four regional qualifier slots. (insider-gaming.com) On‑air talent named for the English broadcast includes desk host Natalie “NatTea” Mahoney, analysts Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen and Alex “Mauisnake” Ellenberg, and casters Mohan “launders” Govindasamy, Anders “Anders” Blume and Henry “HenryG” Greer. (hltv.org)
