by BLAST has officially secured the operations of two major esports titles, Fortnite and Rocket League, in multi-year deals.
Despite the dominance of ESL FACEIT Group in the industry, BLAST has expanded its influence, taking over commercial rights for competitive broadcasts and events for both games.
Initially partnering with Epic Games in 2021 for Fortnite events, BLAST has now renewed and expanded the collaboration, handling all operations for the Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) and venturing into the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS).
This move comes as a surprise to those who expected BLAST to contract following the ESL-FACEIT merger.
BLAST, known for its prominent role in Counter-Strike with BLAST Premier, has been strategic in its expansion, also overseeing leagues and events in Rainbow Six Siege and FNCS.
The company’s ability to operate within the margins, securing contracts for esports beyond traditional sports arenas, signals a positive outlook for diversified competition among tournament organizers.
While ESL’s vast resources could potentially dominate the market, BLAST’s flexibility and ability to secure contracts for esports with varying levels of popularity showcase a healthier competition landscape.
The expansion into RLCS marks a significant step for BLAST, taking charge of all league operations for the FNCS and RLCS, demonstrating its commitment to elevating and growing competitive properties in collaboration with major game publishers like Epic Games.
BLAST ?? Epic Games
We have announced a multi-year deal & collaboration with Epic Games to run their prestigious competitive tournaments, the @FNCompetitive (FNCS) and @RLEsports (RLCS) starting in 2024.
Read more: https://t.co/dbo5FXzzBV pic.twitter.com/GQKNMnX6Ph
— BLAST (@BLASTEsports) January 4, 2024
