HAPPENING 27–29 MAR 2026 | Rotterdam Ahoy will host an international esports tournament in March 2026, as BLAST Premier brings its Counter-Strike competition to the Netherlands. Thousands of visitors are expected in the city while millions more will follow the matches online.
Blast Premier to take place in Rotterdam Ahoy in 2026
Rotterdam Ahoy will serve as the venue for the BLAST Premier finals from 27 to 29 March 2026. The tournament will bring together six of the world’s leading Counter-Strike 2 teams, who will compete for a prize pool totalling $1.1 million. The event will be broadcast in more than 100 countries and translated into over 30 languages.
Organised by Danish esports company BLAST in collaboration with Dutch organiser Friendly Fire, the Rotterdam edition marks the first time that the tournament is staged in the Netherlands.
Global tournament arrives in the Netherlands
BLAST Premier is a global esports circuit that has previously been held in cities such as London, Rio, Munich, Hong Kong, Singapore, Boston and Austin. Recent seasons attracted a combined audience of more than a billion views across 154 countries.
Andrew Haworth, Senior Vice President Ecosystems at BLAST, commented that Rotterdam Ahoy offers the right stage for this chapter in the competition, highlighting the international level of play and production.
Rotterdam as a gaming hub
Rotterdam has increasingly positioned itself within the international gaming scene. The city has previously hosted TwitchCon and is home to several international game studios. According to Friendly Fire co-founder Rense van Kessel, hosting BLAST Premier in Rotterdam represents a milestone for the local esports and cultural sector.
The event is also expected to generate economic activity through tourism, hospitality and related services.
Location and directions
Rotterdam Ahoy is located in the south of the city in the Charlois district, easily accessible by public transport and car. The venue is a short walk from Zuidplein metro station, which connects to the city centre and Rotterdam Centraal station. Visitors arriving by car can use the on-site parking facilities, though public transport is recommended due to large crowds.
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