BLAST Premier Open 3 is set to bring top-level Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) action to the United States in September 2027. The tournament will be the third BLAST Premier Open event of the year, featuring 16 teams competing for a combined $1.25 million in prize money and team payments.
Announced on October 30, 2026, the competition will introduce an updated tournament format, including a Swiss-system opening stage and an expanded eight-team playoff bracket. Here is everything we know so far about BLAST Premier Open 3 (2027), including its dates, format, prize pool and qualification process.
BLAST Premier Open 3 (2027): Dates and Location
BLAST Premier Open 3 will take place from September 3 to 12, 2027, in the United States. However, the organisers have yet to reveal the exact host city, arena and ticketing information.
The tournament will feature 16 teams, with both the opening stage and playoffs taking place on LAN. The event schedule includes a media day on September 4, followed by the main competition.
BLAST Premier Open 3 Format Explained
One of the biggest changes for the 2027 edition is the introduction of a Swiss-system format for the opening stage.
All 16 participating teams will compete in the Swiss stage from September 5 to 9, with the eight best teams progressing to the playoffs.
The knockout stage will run from September 10 to 12, featuring a single-elimination bracket. This means teams must win their matches to remain in contention for the championship.
The expanded playoff format will include four quarterfinals, two semifinals and the grand final. BLAST will also introduce dual-stream broadcasts during the Swiss stage, allowing fans to follow two matches simultaneously.
How Teams Can Qualify for BLAST Premier Open 3
A total of 16 teams will participate in the tournament, with 11 receiving direct invitations based on the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) global rankings published on May 3, 2027.
The remaining five spots will be decided through regional closed qualifiers:
Europe: One qualifying spot.
Asia: One qualifying spot.
South America: One qualifying spot.
North America: Two qualifying spots.
Each regional closed qualifier will feature eight teams, with four invited through regional rankings and four advancing from open qualifiers.
BLAST Premier Open 3 Prize Pool
The tournament will feature a combined $1.25 million in prize money and team payments. This includes a $400,000 acceptance fee pool for teams accepting their invitations.
The acceptance fees will be distributed according to invitation placement:
1st–4th: $60,000 per team.
5th–8th: $30,000 per team.
9th–16th: $5,000 per team.
The remaining prize-money distribution has not been fully detailed in the announcement.
Final Thoughts
With 16 teams, an updated Swiss format and an expanded playoff stage, BLAST Premier Open 3 promises another exciting chapter in competitive Counter-Strike. More information about participating teams, the host city, tickets and the final prize-money breakdown is expected closer to the tournament.
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