Look Sports Media – Mayor Sadiq Khan has boldly predicted a staggering £30 million economic boost for London thanks to the upcoming Counter-Strike 2 BLAST Open, taking place at Wembley’s OVO Hydro Arena from September 5th to 7th. This three-day LAN extravaganza, featuring six qualified teams battling for a $330,000 prize pool, marks the second consecutive year BLAST has chosen London as its stage. Last year’s BLAST Premier Spring Final saw Team Spirit triumph, but this year’s tournament promises even more excitement.
The Mayor’s enthusiasm is palpable. He’s stated his commitment to fostering London’s burgeoning esports scene, highlighting the city’s position as a global leader in the industry. Khan’s prediction echoes his earlier estimate of a £12 million economic impact from the League of Legends World Championship final, though this year’s event spans three days, promising a significantly larger influx of revenue.
But who will take home the lion’s share of the prize money? The tournament has already seen upsets, with IEM Cologne champions Team Spirit and Esports World Cup winners MongolZ (replaced by Team Liquid due to visa issues) eliminated. This leaves Team Vitality as a strong contender, boosted by their recent winning streak and the home-crowd advantage thanks to British star William "mezii" Merriman. Team Vitality and FURIA have already secured semi-final spots, while Mouz faces M80 and G2 Esports clashes with FaZe Clan in the quarter-finals.
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London’s reputation as an esports hub is undeniable. Beyond the CS:GO events, the city has hosted major Rocket League tournaments and the 2025 Pokémon International Championships Europe earlier this year. With continued support from Mayor Khan, London’s future as a premier esports destination seems assured—provided visa complications don’t cast a shadow over future events.
Jack Stewart, Senior Editor
In my seven years of esports writing, I’ve introduced esports coverage to newspapers, interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry, and driven viewers mad with the puns in my YouTube scripts. I’m most proud of the latter.
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