ABU DHABI, 30th June, 2022 (WAM) — Blast has partnered with pioneering gaming and esports initiative AD Gaming to bring its global esports tournament, the Blast Premier Global Finals, to Abu Dhabi for the first time. Dhabi later this year as part of a three-year tie-up.
Held at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, the Blast Premier Global Finals will take place from December 14-18 and will feature eight of the world’s top esports organizations for the prestigious Global Finals trophy as they aim to claim a share of the US$1. million prize pool and a chance to claim bragging rights as Counter-Strike champions in 2022.
The Global Finals will be the seventh and final event in the Blast Premier tournament series and the culmination of the 2022 CS:GO Global Calendar. Spread over two seasons, Blast Premier offers a place in the Global Finals to teams who triumph in the Spring and fall, as well as the top four teams in the “Race to the World Final Leaderboard”. The line-up will be completed by the winners of ESL Season 16 and ESL Rio Major.
FaZe Clan were the first team to book their ticket to Abu Dhabi after triumphing in the ESL Pro League Season 15 and winning the PGL Antwerp Major, while NAVI were the last to qualify after winning the final of the spring in Lisbon last week.
With the capital of the United Arab Emirates named as the new host city, the announcement aligns with Blast’s ongoing commitment to reaching new audiences and delivering incredible esports experiences in state-of-the-art arenas for teams and spectators. .
Charlotte Kenny, Managing Director of Blast Premier, said: “As part of our host city process, we are always on the lookout for premier venues and arenas around the world, Abu Dhabi is the perfect place. to follow up on this month’s very successful one. Spring Final in Lisbon and Autumn Final in November in Copenhagen The Global Final will follow in the footsteps of popular sports such as the UFC, F1 and NBA by hosting major events in Abu Dhabi and the remarkable Etihad Arena provides the stage perfect for our World Finals event.
“The esports and gaming industries are growing at a rapid pace in the Middle East with hundreds of thousands of people engaged in the game, as players or spectators. Blast is committed to bringing our best shows to all four corners of the world. and we are proud to be working with AD Gaming to bring the Blast Premier Global Finals to Abu Dhabi.”
The event aligns with AD Gaming’s broader strategy and commitment to uniting Abu Dhabi’s drive to create a thriving gaming and esports ecosystem, and to continue to promote the city as a hub global gaming hub.
Since its inception in 2021, AD Gaming has brought over 30 game developers to the capital, providing them with world-class industry support to fuel their emirate success stories while generating countless opportunities for local and international talent, today and in the future in this booming industry.
James Hartt, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Abu Dhabi Gaming, added: “Blast is truly a global leader in the esports industry, so their commitment to Abu Dhabi perfectly demonstrates the scale and impact of the growing esports industry. games and esports in the emirate, both in terms of the industry and the gaming community. Crucially, it also shows a deep belief in the growth and untapped potential that Abu Dhabi has to offer. With the incredibly exciting CS:GO World Finals, this latest partnership reinforces Abu Dhabi’s status as a global hub for the creative industries and will drive the long-term development of this strategically important sector.
“We look forward to welcoming the best teams, players and fans to Abu Dhabi later this year in what will be a historic occasion for everyone involved.”
