Competitive gaming company BLAST has entered into an official agreement with the Mongolian Esports Association (MESA) to bring major Counter-Strike events to Central Asia. The deal, announced today, establishes the logistical framework for the previously confirmed BLAST Premier Open Ulaanbaatar in 2027 and represents a mutual investment in the region’s esports infrastructure.
Dividing operational responsibilities
The partnership outlines a clear division of labor between the two organizations to execute large-scale arena events in Mongolia. MESA will utilize its established regional network to provide the necessary local infrastructure and expertise. In exchange, BLAST will manage the global broadcast, tournament production, and overall event operations.
This shared operational model is designed to transform Mongolia into a central location for Asian esports. MESA President Munkhtuvshin Tsagaan indicated that the capital city of Ulaanbaatar now has a clear path to becoming a permanent fixture on the global esports map over the next three years.
Capitalizing on regional momentum
The decision to formalize this infrastructure agreement stems directly from the rapid growth of the Mongolian Counter-Strike community and the international success of its domestic rosters. In 2025, The Mongolz secured a spot in the final of the BLAST.tv Austin Major, narrowly falling to Team Vitality. That performance proved the region possesses the talent required to compete at the highest tier of competition.
James Woollard, VP of Destinations and Market Development at BLAST, pointed to high engagement metrics from the Mongolian audience as a primary driver for the deal. Woollard stated that over five percent of the Mongolian population has tuned into previous BLAST broadcasts. By partnering with MESA, the tournament organizer aims to provide a permanent home for this regional momentum.
The Mongolz founder Tuvshinbileg Lkhagvasuren echoed this sentiment, explaining that the combination of strong domestic rosters, an active player base, and a capable national association puts Mongolia in a strong position to host major international competitions.
Integrating into the 2027 circuit
The logistical partnership will culminate in the BLAST Premier Open Ulaanbaatar, scheduled to run from May 10 to May 23, 2027, at the Steppe Arena. The event features a $1.25 million prize pool, consisting of $500,000 in direct prize money and $750,000 distributed as team payments.
A total of 16 teams will compete, with participants determined through the Global Valve Regional Standings and regional qualifiers. To directly support regional development, two qualification spots have been exclusively reserved for the Asia Qualifier.
The integration of Ulaanbaatar into the 2027 circuit places the city alongside other global locations such as Singapore, Malta, Hong Kong, and Rio de Janeiro. This infrastructure agreement confirms BLAST’s broader ambition to bring large-scale arena events directly to emerging and highly engaged markets.
