BLAST has partnered with the Mongolian Esports Association (MESA) to bring a top-tier Counter-Strike event to Mongolia for the first time. BLAST Premier Open Ulaanbaatar will feature 16 teams competing for a total of $1.25 million in prize money and team payments in May 2027.
Cybersport In reports, citing Players, that the tournament will also mark BLAST’s first event in Central Asia and will take place at Steppe Arena in the Mongolian capital from May 10 to 23, 2027.
The event will be a two-week LAN tournament featuring 16 teams. The total financial commitment amounts to $1.25 million, including $500,000 in prize money and another $750,000 in team payments.
Teams will qualify for BLAST Premier Open Ulaanbaatar through the global VRS ranking and regional BLAST Premier qualifiers. Two slots will be reserved for teams coming through the Asian qualification system.
Why BLAST Chose Mongolia
Mongolia has emerged as one of the most notable markets on the international Counter-Strike esports scene, driven by both competitive success and a highly engaged local fanbase.
According to the organizers, previous BLAST broadcasts have reached more than 5% of Mongolia’s population. The country’s profile in competitive Counter-Strike received another major boost in 2025, when The MongolZ reached the BLAST.tv Austin Major final, where they finished runners-up to Team Vitality.
That performance helped establish Mongolia as a serious force on the global Counter-Strike map and strengthened ambitions to bring major international tournaments to the country.
MESA will provide local infrastructure and expertise for the Ulaanbaatar event, while BLAST will be responsible for tournament operations, broadcast production, and the competitive side of the event.
BLAST Vice President James Woollard described the partnership as a long-term investment in the region and said Ulaanbaatar had earned its place among major esports destinations.
MESA President Munkhtuvshin Tsagaan, meanwhile, said the Mongolian capital has the potential to become one of Asia’s major esports hubs over the next three years.
Ulaanbaatar Joins BLAST’s 2027 Global Circuit
The Mongolia event will form part of a broader international BLAST Premier calendar in 2027. Flagship tournaments are also scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malta.
The agreement with MESA therefore places Ulaanbaatar alongside several established international destinations on the BLAST 2027 tournament calendar.
For Mongolia, hosting a Tier-1 Counter-Strike event also represents another step in the rapid development of its esports ecosystem. The combination of a growing professional scene, strong audience interest, and international tournament infrastructure could further strengthen the country’s position within Asian and global esports.
