A leading esports player believes the first BLAST Premier World Final in Abu Dhabi presents an opportunity to reach out to new audiences and attract people to esports and gaming as one of the elite global esports tournaments got underway on Wednesday.
Karrigan of FaZe Clan will be among the world’s best players that will be in action in the season-finale tournament which is currently taking place at the Etihad Arena until 18th December.
It is the first time the tournament is being held in the Middle East after BLAST partnered with AD Gaming, a pioneering gaming and esports initiative to bring its season-ending tournament to the UAE capital for the first time as part of a three-year partnership.
Karrigan of FaZe Clan (Right)
Karrigan says it’s important to be playing in new cities around the world and keep gaming and ‘Counter-Strike alive’. He said: “BLAST setting up this World Final in this region is a fantastic way to reach new audiences. No matter where we are in the world, we know there’s a massive fan base for Counter-Strike and we’re going to keep that alive as long as we can. I think it’s important we go around the world and make CS:GO and esports popular.”
On the opening day of the season-finale tournament, the highest-profile esports event to be staged in Abu Dhabi so far, Team Liquid, FaZe Clan, OG Esports and Team Vitality got their campaigns off to a winning start at the Etihad Arena.
Running until 18th December, the World Final will see eight of the world’s biggest esports organisations battle for glory in the seventh and last event of BLAST Premier tournament series, which will have a prize pool of USD $1 million.
Tickets for 17th and 18th December cost as low as AED 50 for Students and AED 115. Tickets can be purchased by visiting https://www.etihadarena.ae/en/event-booking/blast-premier-world-final-2022.
Besides watching the best players in action, the event will also be attended by some of the biggest names in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia’s popular gaming creator BanderitaX along with professional Fortnite players NM7 and spyerfrog.
They will be among a host of top gamers, influencers and content creators including Basharkk,” and Galaxy Racer’s professional Fortnite players “Souriano” and “g1ntl” with spectators able to meet the stars in person.
The BLAST Gaming Zone will also have something for every person to enjoy with fans able to participate in a weekend of playing Counter-Strike, FIFA and Fall Guys.
