The iconic OVO Wembley Arena is set to once again become the epicenter of world Counter-Strike. BLAST Premier organizers have officially announced the first twelve teams that will compete for the Season 2 BLAST Open title. The tournament will take place from September 5–7 in London, with the playoffs hosted at one of the UK’s most prestigious venues.
Welcoming the first 12 of 16 teams who will be battling it out at Season 2 of the BLAST Open!
👉 https://t.co/TOIs5WiT9D#BLASTPremier pic.twitter.com/JKfwFQgwqT
— BLAST Premier 💥 (@BLASTPremier) July 18, 2025
Context: BLAST Open returns in a revamped format
Season 2 of BLAST Open marks the second iteration of BLAST’s new open format, combining elite teams with rising challengers from regional qualifiers. Season 1 concluded with an epic Vitality vs MOUZ final, widely regarded as one of the best CS2 matches to date.
For Season 2, BLAST has made a structural adjustment: the group stage will be played online from August 27 to September 1 — a decision made, according to BLAST, to reduce logistical strain on teams. The playoffs will then proceed in LAN format in London.
Confirmed teams: 12 participants, 10 regions represented
The teams were invited based on their Global VRS ranking as of July 7. Nine of the current top 10 teams accepted the invite — with the exception of Falcons, who, according to HLTV, are focusing on internal development following the addition of Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin. BLAST confirmed that Falcons have now skipped back-to-back events, and their absence hasn’t gone unnoticed by the community.
Meanwhile, Virtus.pro have stepped in: 3DMAX, ranked 13th globally, passed their invite to the Russian organization.
Here’s the current list of confirmed teams for BLAST Open London 2025:
- Vitality – reigning champions, ZywOo’s star-studded squad
- FaZe – iconic international powerhouse
- Team Spirit – dominant force in early 2025 led by donk
- Heroic – rebuilding with a fresh roster
- GamerLegion – consistent top-tier presence
- Aurora – emerging force from Turkey
- The MongolZ – undisputed kings of Asia
- MOUZ – runners-up from last season
- FURIA – aggressive South American squad with YEKINDAR
- NAVI – retooled and hungry for a title
- G2 – recently rebuilt but still a dangerous contender
- Virtus.pro – accepted the slot vacated by 3DMAX
BLAST Rising: A chance for underdogs to shine
Alongside the 12 invited teams, four additional slots will be determined via the BLAST Rising regional qualifiers, held across Europe, North America, South America, and Asia.
The closed qualifiers will take place from August 1 to 3, and the following teams have already been invited:
Europe:
- Astralis
- Liquid
- NIP
- fnatic
North America:
- NRG
- Wildcard
- M80
- Getting Info
South America:
- Legacy
- Imperial
- ODDIK
- Sharks
Asia:
- Lynn Vision
- TYLOO
- FlyQuest
- Chinggis Warriors
Each region will also feature four additional teams from open qualifiers, and the winners will join the main event in London.
BLAST Open Season 2 Schedule
- August 27 – September 1: Online Group Stage
- September 5 – 7: LAN Playoffs in London (Wembley Arena)
- Prize Pool: $330,000
The Big Question: Who can stop Vitality?
Vitality remain the favorites after their dominant victory in Season 1, but the competition has never been tighter. Team Spirit, NAVI, FaZe, and G2 all have the firepower and experience to challenge for the crown. And let’s not overlook the regional underdogs — history has shown us that upsets are always possible.
BLAST Open London isn’t just another event — it’s a proving ground where new legends are forged. And while big names like Falcons have taken a step back, a new generation of heroes is ready to rise. With a mixed format, global participation, and massive fan interest, CS2 is set for a thrilling autumn.
The stage is set. The countdown begins. BLAST is back — and this time, it’s going all in.
