Underdog, known for its innovative sports betting, has been announced as the official partner of three upcoming BLAST Counter-Strike 2 tournaments, further expanding its presence in the esports scene.
The partnership includes the BLAST Premier Lisbon Open, the BLAST Premier Monterrey Rivals, and the highly anticipated BLAST.tv Austin Major.
As part of the agreement, Underdog will receive prominent branding across English-speaking broadcasts and feature on both physical and digital signs at the venues.
The partnership also includes integration into BLAST.tv’s Fantasy mini-game, which is specifically targeted at the U.S. and Canadian markets, perfect for Underdog’s market focus.
A key element of the deal is Underdog’s presence at the BLAST.tv Austin Major which is the first Counter-Strike 2 Major to take place in North America since 2018.
Set for June, the tournament will feature top-tier teams such as FaZe, Liquid, Vitality, NAVI, and MOUZ competing for a share of the impressive $1.25 million prize pool.
Underdog will also host an on-site activation booth, offering exclusive experiences for fans attending the event, bolstering it’s overall presence.
“We’re really excited about this collaboration with Underdog,” said BLAST’s Chief Business Officer, Leo Matlock. “They are a brand who’ve been a key player in the innovative and growing sports gaming space for some years. Underdog has chosen a blockbuster time to partner with BLAST ahead of our sold-out BLAST.tv Austin Major in June.”
Zach Powell, Director of Partnerships at Underdog, echoed the sentiment. “We’re always looking for innovative partnerships like this one with BLAST Premier,” he said. “We are excited to be a part of the upcoming events and to engage with a new audience through our first-ever in-person esports tournament.”
This partnership comes on the heels of Underdog’s successful Series C funding round, which valued the company at $1.23 billion — nearly triple its valuation from its 2022 Series B.
While esports can be somewhat hit and miss, major Counter-Strike tournaments continue to be near the top in terms of viewership.
This allows Underdog to tap into a new and engaged fanbase while supporting one of the year’s most anticipated esports events.
