BLAST: A Great Honor to Participate in TI One Day



When BLAST announced its entry into the legendary world of DOTA, excitement reverberated throughout the DOTA community. With a long-standing love for the game and a keen understanding of its evolving ecosystem, BLAST saw an opportunity to bring its signature innovation and top-tier competition to the DOTA scene.

As BLAST prepares to make its mark on DOTA, fans can anticipate events with a unique touch. Drawing from years of experience across different games, BLAST aims to redefine the viewing experience while maintaining its hallmark production quality.

BLAST plans to launch a comprehensive DOTA tour soon, emphasizing balance to ensure captivating narratives and maximum entertainment value in every match.

We spoke with Andrew Haworth, BLAST’s Vice President of Ecosystems, to delve deeper into what fans can expect from BLAST’s DOTA adventure.

Q: Why is BLAST entering DOTA2?

A: It’s a game we’ve loved as fans and players for many years. As an interested tournament organizer, we’ve been closely watching the game over the past few years. As our business expands, you’ll see BLAST branching out into more gaming properties, and DOTA has always been on our wishlist. With recent changes in the DOTA ecosystem, we believe it’s the perfect time for BLAST to join in and provide the next phase of DOTA tournaments to the community.

Q: How will BLAST be different from other tournaments?

A: We aim to apply much of what we’ve learned from operating other games. We’ll explore how to enhance the in-game viewing experience. BLAST prides itself on unparalleled production quality and fan-centric moments that change the game, bringing together the best teams and biggest stars to compete for glory. Our goal is to bring all of this to DOTA2.

Q: Will BLAST host The International (TI)?

A: One step at a time. After years of dedication in CS, we felt ready to apply for a Major. We’re excited to establish the BLAST DOTA proposition and see how audiences and teams respond. Before exploring other opportunities, we’ll focus on this first. Of course, it would be a tremendous honor to be part of TI one day.

Q: How many tournaments does BLAST hope to host?

A: We’re finalizing the last pieces of the BLAST DOTA Tour, and we look forward to sharing all the details soon. It’s great to see so much excitement and interest in DOTA for 2025. While this could lead to a crowded calendar, it also reflects the strength and opportunities in the professional scene. We’re focused on creating the right balance between events to produce the most engaging storytelling for our fans, not just hosting tournaments for the sake of it.

Q: How will BLAST’s DOTA tournaments differ from those of other organizers?

A: BLAST isn’t afraid to challenge conventions. If we think we can improve the show by shaking things up, we’ll do so while respecting the game, ensuring competitive integrity, and listening to community feedback.

Q: How many DOTA2 events will BLAST host?

A: Our inaugural event will take place offline in a studio environment in November 2024. We plan to host four additional events in 2025. We can’t wait to share more information with our fans this summer, including formats, prize pools, and more.