BLAST.tv CS2 Major Returns to North America: Austin, Texas Takes Center Stage

After a seven-year absence, Counter-Strike’s premier tournament is finally returning to North American soil. In June 2025, the BLAST.tv Counter-Strike 2 Major will descend upon Austin, Texas, marking a much-anticipated homecoming for the esports phenomenon in the United States. For the first time since 2018, fans across the region will get to experience the electric atmosphere of a Major in person, and the choice of Austin as host city – with its vibrant culture and cutting-edge Moody Center arena – underscores just how significant this event is for both the Counter-Strike community and the wider esports industry.

Austin’s Cultural and Esports Relevance

Austin isn’t just any American city – it’s a thriving tech hub and cultural capital that has been rapidly making a name for itself in the world of events and entertainment. Known as the “Live Music Capital of the World” and home to major festivals like SXSW and Austin City Limits, the city has a proven track record of hosting large-scale, world-class events. That same innovative, youthful spirit extends to gaming and esports. Over the years, Austin has welcomed gaming conventions and tournaments (including earlier Counter-Strike competitions and DreamHack festivals), cultivating a community that is both tech-savvy and passionate about competitive gaming. Bringing a CS2 Major to Austin is a natural fit. BLAST’s executives have pointed out that Texas holds a special place in Counter-Strike history – some of the very first big Counter-Strike tournaments took place in Texas decades ago – making Austin an especially symbolic choice. “Austin has a clear passion for esports that made it a no-brainer for hosting a Major,” noted Andrew Haworth, a BLAST VP, emphasizing how the city’s enthusiastic gaming scene helped clinch its selection.

City officials likewise recognize the significance of landing an event of this magnitude. Austin’s mayor, Kirk Watson, praised the Major as a “huge moment” for the city and affirmed that “Austin is the perfect place to showcase the esports industry and the technology at the heart of the competition.” The local government and tourism board have actively supported bringing the Major to town, seeing it as an opportunity to put Austin on the global esports map. It’s not often that a video game tournament is mentioned in the same breath as marquee events in other industries, but Austin’s embrace of the BLAST.tv Major signals how far esports have come. The city is rolling out the red carpet for teams and fans from around the world, eager to demonstrate its hospitality and high-tech infrastructure. As Mayor Watson added, “We look forward to welcoming teams and fans from all across the globe to Austin.” Such backing from the city not only ensures a smooth event – it also highlights esports’ growing mainstream acceptance, with civic leaders viewing it as a boon for the local economy and a point of pride for the community.

The State-of-the-Art Moody Center

At the heart of this event is the Moody Center, the state-of-the-art arena set to host the Major’s championship stage. Opened in 2022 on the University of Texas campus, the Moody Center has quickly earned a reputation as one of the premier indoor venues in the nation. It boasts a seating capacity of around 15,000 and has already hosted everything from top-charting concerts to collegiate sports. In fact, it was recently lauded as one of the highest-grossing arenas of its size and even won Arena of the Year accolades – a testament to its modern facilities and capability to stage massive productions. For an esports event like the CS2 Major, this means world-class lighting, sound, and visual setup to match the intensity of the competition. BLAST’s organizers have hinted at an immersive stage design “fit for core Counter-Strike,” transforming the arena into a battleground worthy of a Major final.

The choice of Moody Center also speaks to the appeal of Austin as a destination. Located in the heart of a vibrant college city, attendees will be surrounded by the energy of campus life and Austin’s famous nightlife just a stone’s throw away. Fans can spend the day witnessing elite Counter-Strike play in a cutting-edge arena, and by evening step out to enjoy live music, Texas barbecue, or a stroll down historic 6th Street. This blend of high-tech venue and rich local culture promises a unique experience for traveling esports fans. Drew Hays, executive director of the Austin Sports Commission, noted that an arena-based esports competition in Austin was “long overdue” given the city’s thriving tech sector and avid gaming fanbase. By hosting the Major at Moody Center, Austin is not only flexing its ability to support large esports events, but it’s also giving fans an unforgettable setting – one that could set a new standard for how live Counter-Strike is enjoyed in North America.

A Homecoming for North American Counter-Strike

For many in the Counter-Strike community, the 2025 Austin Major represents a homecoming in more ways than one. North America has not hosted a Major since 2018, when Boston’s Agganis Arena roared with home crowd delight as a U.S. team lifted the trophy. In the years since, the prestigious tournament traveled to Europe and South America, leaving North American fans hungry for another chance to showcase their passion on the world stage. That long wait is finally over. The Austin Major is not just another stop on the Counter-Strike calendar – it’s a statement that North American Counter-Strike is alive and eager to reclaim its place in the spotlight.

“This feels like a full circle moment for our scene,” says Jason Lake, founder and CEO of Complexity Gaming, one of North America’s storied team organizations. Lake has been involved in Counter-Strike since the early 2000s, and he remembers when Texas was a hotbed of competitive CS in the formative years. Bringing a Major back to the U.S., and to Texas in particular, is deeply meaningful to veterans like him. It’s a nod to the roots of competitive Counter-Strike – a game that, as BLAST’s Leo Matlock put it during the Austin announcement, had some of its earliest esports origins in Texas – and it’s a chance to inspire the next generation of North American players and fans. Importantly, it also signals renewed investment in the region. “Everyone who loves Counter-Strike can agree we needed a Major in Texas,” one BLAST executive remarked, underlining the community-wide desire to see the game’s biggest event return to American soil.

Critically, the response from fans has validated that sentiment. Tickets for the Austin Major reportedly sold out in record time, with all multi-day passes snapped up well in advance. BLAST revealed that roughly 50,000 fans are expected to attend across the event’s weeks-long schedule, packing the Moody Center to its rafters for the final championship weekend. It’s clear that North American fans were starved for a Major – and they’ve responded with enthusiasm that even surprised some organizers. “American fans will bring an energy [to the Major] that will shock a lot of people,” Jason Lake noted, expressing confidence that the hometown crowd will make the atmosphere in Austin truly special. Anyone who remembers the thunderous chants during past U.S. majors knows that a North American audience has a flair for passion. From long-time Counter-Strike devotees who flew overseas to attend the last few Majors, to new fans drawn in by the buzz, Austin is set to unite the NA Counter-Strike community under one roof like never before in the CS2 era.

Excitement from Players and Teams

The prospect of a Major on U.S. soil has players buzzing as well. For many North American pros, this will be their first time playing a Major in front of a home crowd – an experience they’ve only heard about from predecessors or witnessed online. Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski, one of NA’s veteran stars, shared that it’s a dream come true: “I’ve played in Majors around the world, but nothing beats the idea of doing it in my home country. The energy, the crowd – we’ve been waiting for this.”

His sentiment is echoed by teammates and rivals alike. Even international players have a soft spot for North American events; European champions who lifted trophies in arenas like Columbus or Boston have often remarked on the uniquely electric vibe of the U.S. fans. Knowing that Austin will be filled with tens of thousands of enthusiastic supporters, teams are eager to put on a show.

Coaches and team staff see the Major’s return to North America as an opportunity to ignite regional talent. James “Jame” (a Major-winning player-turned-captain) observed that having a Major in the U.S. can inspire younger local players: “When you watch the biggest tournament happening in your backyard, it hits different – it makes you want to grind even harder to be there someday.” The hope is that this event will spark renewed interest in Counter-Strike at the grassroots level across the continent. Local esports organizations, collegiate teams, and aspiring pros are all rallying around the Austin Major, using it as motivation to grow the competitive scene. And for the established North American teams competing, there’s an extra layer of pride on the line – they’re defending home turf. The last time a Major was stateside, it produced an iconic victory for a North American roster. While the focus of the Austin Major will rightly be on the present competition, players know that having the crowd behind them can be a real boost. As one team captain put it, “Running out onto that stage with the crowd cheering in Texas – it gives you goosebumps. We want to win it for them as much as for ourselves.”

A Milestone for Esports in the Region

Beyond the immediate excitement, the BLAST.tv Austin Major is being hailed as a milestone for esports in North America. Industry observers point out that it’s not just about one tournament, but about re-establishing a foothold for Counter-Strike and other top-tier esports events in the U.S. market. For years, North America’s share of major Counter-Strike tournaments had dwindled, with more events opting for Europe or other regions. The fact that a global organizer like BLAST chose Austin – and invested considerable resources to do so – signals a renewed confidence in the North American esports audience. It also reflects a strategy: BLAST and its partners have spoken of bigger ambitions in the U.S., using this Major as a springboard to expand the Counter-Strike scene state-side.

The potential impact on the local economy and community is substantial. Analysts estimate upwards of $30–40 million in economic activity for Austin from the Major, between travelers flying in, hotel stays, dining, and tourism. The Austin Major is, in effect, combining the thrills of a top esports contest with the pull of a large convention or sporting event. It’s drawing global attention – streaming to viewers in dozens of countries – while physically bringing tens of thousands of visitors to the city. Such convergence of esports and tourism showcases how far the industry has come. “For our city to have such a thriving technology sector and avid esports fanbase, an event like this is long overdue,” said Drew Hays, emphasizing how the Major aligns perfectly with Austin’s identity. The success of this event could pave the way for more championships and leagues to plant their flag in North America, revitalizing a region that has all the ingredients for esports success: passionate fans, capable venues, and now, a proven track record.

An Unforgettable Homecoming

As the BLAST.tv CS2 Major approaches, all eyes are on Austin to deliver an unforgettable show. The narrative practically writes itself – a beloved game returns to the place where so many of its early memories were forged, now bigger than ever and poised to make new history. For the fans, it’s a celebration of how far Counter-Strike has come and a chance to share the experience with their community in person. For the city of Austin, it’s an opportunity to shine on a global stage and affirm its reputation as an emerging capital of esports. And for the teams and players, it’s a moment to savor: the roar of a North American crowd, the pride of playing on home turf, and the knowledge that they are part of a milestone event.

In many ways, the 2025 Austin Major is more than just a tournament – it’s a homecoming party for Counter-Strike in North America. It bridges the gap between the game’s storied past in the U.S. and its bright future. When the first teams walk out onto the Moody Center stage and thousands of voices erupt in cheers, it will underscore why this return matters. It matters to the kid in Texas who can finally attend a Major without crossing an ocean. It matters to the veteran fan who remembers the old days and can’t believe how much it’s grown. It matters to the city leaders who see esports contributing to Austin’s innovative spirit. And it matters to the esports world at large, as a reminder that North America’s esports heartbeat is strong and ready to resonate once again. In Austin this summer, Counter-Strike is coming home – and the stage is set for something truly special.