BLAST Rivals Fall 2026 brings a US$1,000,000 CS2 event to Hong Kong
BLAST Rivals returns to Hong Kong's AsiaWorld-Expo from 11 to 15 November with eight teams and a US$1,000,000 prize pool. Here is how the format works, what tickets cost and how to watch from the UK.
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026 runs from Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 November at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, where eight Counter-Strike 2 teams will play for a US$1,000,000 prize pool. Two days of group matches open the event. From Friday 13 November the playoffs move into the AsiaWorld-Arena in front of a live crowd.
This is the second time BLAST has taken its Rivals format to Hong Kong. The first edition sold out the arena, and the organiser has kept the same five-day shape for the return. FURIA won the previous final and come back as defending champions.
How the field was put together
There are no qualifiers for this event. All eight teams were invited because they were the top eight in Valve's Global Regional Standings (VRS) when the invitations went out. That makes the event a snapshot of the top of the ranking as the season nears its end. With only eight sides involved, every series matters from the first day.
Format: GSL groups, then a six-team bracket
The teams are split into two groups of four that use the GSL double-elimination system, where teams only ever face opponents with the same record. Every group match is best-of-three, and no team goes out after a single defeat.
- Group stage, 11-12 November: two four-team GSL groups, all matches best-of-three
- Group winners: straight into the semi-finals
- Second and third place: into the quarter-finals
- Fourth place in each group: eliminated
- Playoffs, 13-15 November: single elimination, best-of-three, with a best-of-five grand final
This structure gives a big advantage to group winners. A group winner needs only two playoff series wins to lift the trophy, while the second- and third-placed teams face an extra knockout round on Friday. The quarter-finals are on 13 November, the semi-finals on 14 November and the grand final on Sunday 15 November.
Where the money goes
The total prize pool is US$1,000,000, of which US$650,000 is a club share paid to the organisations. The champions collect US$250,000, and half of that, US$125,000, counts as club share.
Tickets, venue and spectator rules
The playoff days are held in Hall 1 of AsiaWorld-Expo, the AsiaWorld-Arena. It sits beside Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau and holds around 14,000 people. Tickets went on general sale on 17 September through HK Ticketing, and fans in mainland China were sent to Damai. Single-day prices start at HK$98 and rise to more than HK$900 depending on category and day, with Sunday the most expensive.
Three-day packages are also on offer. Guardian costs HK$2,888 and includes a US$75 merchandise voucher and a laminate. Eagle costs HK$4,288, adds a meet-and-greet session and raises the voucher to US$100. BLAST has also partnered with MATCH on travel and hospitality packages.
Anyone attending should know the house rules. Tickets cannot be refunded or exchanged, and resale is prohibited. Bags larger than 38 x 30 x 20 cm and professional cameras are not allowed. Children under three are not admitted, and under-11s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. The venue also warns that strobe lighting and smoke are used during the show.
How to watch from the UK
Every match will be streamed on the BLAST Premier channels on Twitch and YouTube and on BLAST's own platform. The broadcast starts on 11 November at 10:00 Hong Kong time, which is 02:00 in the UK, so European fans will need an early alarm or the replays. Arena sessions are listed from 15:15 local time, or 07:15 in the UK, but check the times again closer to the day.
| Date | Stage | Match format |
|---|---|---|
| 11 November | Group stage: opening matches | Best-of-three |
| 12 November | Group stage: qualification and elimination matches | Best-of-three |
| 13 November | Quarter-finals | Best-of-three |
| 14 November | Semi-finals | Best-of-three |
| 15 November | Grand final | Best-of-five |
Frequently asked questions
When and where is BLAST Rivals Fall 2026?
It runs from 11 to 15 November 2026 at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. Group matches are on 11 and 12 November, and the playoffs are played in front of a crowd at the AsiaWorld-Arena from 13 to 15 November.
How much prize money is on offer?
The total prize pool is US$1,000,000, including a US$650,000 club share. The winners receive US$250,000, half of which is club share.
How were the eight teams chosen?
All eight were invited because they were the top eight in Valve's Global Regional Standings at the time of invitation. There were no qualifiers.
How can I watch from the UK?
The event is streamed on BLAST Premier's Twitch and YouTube channels and on BLAST's own platform. Coverage starts at 10:00 Hong Kong time on 11 November, which is 02:00 in the UK.