Event organiser BLAST has introduced a Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 partnership with cryptocurrency-based prediction market Polymarket for 2026.
The deal will embrace its BLAST Premier (CS2) and BLAST Slam (Dota 2) collection. The collaboration kicks off with BLAST Slam VI, which is about to start its studio part in Malta from February thirteenth to fifteenth.
BLAST said that as a part of this deal, Polymarket will probably be built-in into its broadcast. This contains providing prediction-focused content material, desk segments referencing the platform’s markets, and branding on stay streams.
Moreover, for on-ground occasions, the prediction market will deliver the ‘Polymarket Fancam’, together with devoted streaming cubicles that may host creators and streamers.
“Esports has lengthy been dominated by conventional sportsbooks, however prediction markets open the door to a extra clear and community-driven approach for followers to have interaction with competitors,” mentioned Matthew Modabber, CMO of Polymarket.
“Partnering with BLAST brings that have to a worldwide viewers and helps make prediction markets a pure a part of how individuals watch, debate, and comply with aggressive gaming. We see this as the start of a brand new chapter for fan participation in esports.”
At this time’s announcement comes after BLAST revealed that ASUS is returning because the official monitor, PC, laptop computer, keyboard, and mouse accomplice for BLAST Premier occasions in 2026.
“Esports is evolving quickly right into a extra interactive, data-driven leisure expertise, and we’re delighted to group up with Polymarket to deliver thrilling new engagement alternatives to our followers all all over the world,” added Alexander Lewin, SVP of Business Income at BLAST.
BLAST Gears Up for BLAST Slam VI and BLAST Open S1 2026
Polymarket will make its debut as a BLAST accomplice at Dota 2’s BLAST Slam VI occasion. Nevertheless, its first on-ground activation will probably be seen on the subsequent enviornment occasion, Counter-Strike’s BLAST Open Rotterdam.
BLAST Slam VI is about to host its playoffs on the BLAST studio in Malta, as six groups compete for the title and a share of its $1m (~£730,795) prize pool.
The only-elimination bracket options Workforce Falcons vs Workforce Liquid and Workforce Yandex vs Heroic within the quarter-finals. The highest two groups from the group stage, OG and NAVI, straight certified for the semi-finals.
BLAST Open Rotterdam, alternatively, is about to happen from March 18th to twenty ninth, with 18 groups competing. The Playoffs stage will happen in Rotterdam, Netherlands, to find out which group will stroll away with a lion’s share of the $400,000 (~£292,300) prize pool.
