eSports
London’s OVO Arena Wembley Set to Host BLAST Premier Spring Final 2024
BLAST has teamed up with Live Nation, one of the world’s largest live entertainment companies, along with leading business growth and destination agency London & Partners to bring the Spring Final to London in June 2024. The partnership forms part of BLAST’s ambition to create the best esports experiences by working closely with destinations and the biggest and best live entertainment partners.
The event will bring the world’s best esports teams and players from all across the world to compete in London – four years since BLAST’s last event in the UK’s capital with the city’s second largest indoor venue set to host Counter-Strike’s elite.
The announcement aligns with London & Partners’ ambition to position England’s capital as a global hub for leading esports and gaming events in the future. The UK currently has an 8% share of the global esports industry, which is set to reach $1.6 billion by the end of this year.
Andrew Haworth, Programme Director for BLAST Premier, said: “London is renowned for hosting world-leading events in sport, music and entertainment with the city now setting its sights on being a leading destination for esports. We look forward to working with London & Partners and Live Nation to achieve this aim. Bringing the first BLAST Premier arena event of 2024 to London is an important and exciting first step in this journey.
“The OVO Arena Wembley is a state-of-the-art facility and will provide fans with the perfect setting to witness the most talented Counter-Strike and esports players go head-to-head for a $425,000 total prize pool and chance to qualify for the highly-anticipated World Final in December 2024.”
Ailsa Buck, Head of Major Events and City Experience at London & Partners said: “London is a global hub for innovation and creativity. It’s a city that embraces new experiences and concepts; making this event the ideal partnership. We’re looking forward to welcoming BLAST back to the capital. We cannot wait to see how this partnership will allow us to continue our esports journey, as well as contribute to making London a place for both work and play.”
Sean Ryman, Vice President, Sport and Family Entertainment, said: “BLAST Premier’s arrival in the UK heralds the start of an exciting new partnership, a pioneering venture for Live Nation UK in the world of esports. We are elated to join forces with BLAST Premier, contributing to their ongoing expansion and groundbreaking initiatives in the live arena.”
The Spring Final 2024 will be the biggest Counter-Strike event to take place in the UK since the London Major 2018, which took place in the OVO Arena Wembley and saw Danish organisation Astralis crowned champions.
All eight teams that eventually qualify for the Spring Final will be competing for a massive prize pool of $425,000 and a place in the highly anticipated World Final in December 2024.
The first two days of the event will be played behind closed doors in the arena while the Friday-Sunday (June 14-16) will be played in front of a packed out arena for each day.
Tickets for the event will go on presale from Wednesday, 25th October and general sale from Friday, 27th October.