In March, I traveled to Lisbon for the BLAST Open 2025 Counter-Strike 2 tournament. The tournament was large and prestigious, featuring a top-tier lineup of participants. From a technical standpoint, everything looked excellent—stage, sound, production, broadcast, and setup—there were no issues with the matches and their execution. However, if you look at it more broadly—as an event for fans, as a show—everything was much more modest than one might hope.

The Crowd and Atmosphere—Exclusive to Insiders

The most striking aspect of such events is the audience they attract. At BLAST, it was the core CS community. A very specialized audience: you're either a fan of the discipline or a fan of a specific team. There were almost no casual attendees, newcomers, or those who came just for the atmosphere. It wasn't like Worlds for League of Legends, where there was a sense of mass participation and festivity. Here, everything was strict, almost sports-like.

The vibe was more reminiscent of a football match. This was especially evident in the audience's behavior. Vitality fans put on a real performance: drums, songs, chants, yellow shirts—a true organized support. In comparison, everything else seemed dull. The Germans weren't particularly supported, and Spirit was actively booed. Even after Na’Vi was eliminated, the attitude towards Spirit didn't change—it was clear antipathy from the crowd, seemingly quite deliberate. No sympathy, no randomness—they simply weren't welcome there.

Flags Prohibited—Sterility at the Entrance

At the arena entrance, there was a clear rule: country flags are prohibited. This wasn't accidental. Considering the large Ukrainian population in Portugal and the many Russians at the tournament, the organizers decided to remove any national symbols altogether to avoid conflicts. With Spirit and Na’Vi in the playoffs, it was a logical step, but honestly, it significantly diminished the visual aspect.

Usually, flags, banners, and scarves add to the tournament's spirit, creating visual noise and a sense of genuine fan support. Here, it felt dry. It was more like a regular match in a large hall—with cheers but no color. Vitality somewhat salvaged the atmosphere, but overall, the arena felt more like a stadium than a show venue.

Entertainment—Nonexistent (Unless You Count Screen Cases)

From a fan experience perspective, there was almost nothing. No device booths, no fan zones, no photo zones, no autograph sessions. Just a small BLAST merchandise stand—and that was it. Even buying a souvenir was nearly impossible. Want a mouse? Headphones? Even a sticker? Forget it.

The only thing that really "entertained" the audience during breaks was showing spectators opening cases on their laptops or tablets on the screens. A viewer opens a case, a skin drops—the crowd roars. This was essentially the only interactive moment between the audience and the stage. Everything else was silence and waiting for the next round.

Honestly, it all seemed like a random improvisation by the broadcast director rather than a planned part of the show.

Food, Smoking Areas, and Other "Services"

As for food—basic level. The selection was small: hot dogs and burgers. And they were inedible—the taste was terrible. You could easily toss the hot dog straight into the trash. Considering the ticket prices and the event level, you'd expect at least decent fast food.

Smoking spectators weren't particularly happy either: access to the outside was organized through small fenced areas where everyone stood crammed together like sardines in a can. There wasn't enough space at all. It felt like no one thought anyone might smoke at a CS tournament.

Matches—Flawless, But the Show Lacked

What can definitely be praised are the matches themselves. Production, sound, stage, camera, graphics—everything looked powerful and expensive. Fiery flashes during bomb explosions, close-ups of players, dynamic broadcasts—everything was impeccable. It's clear that the BLAST team knows how to do esports on screen.

But live, besides the game itself, the show was lacking; everything was strict, to the point, without theatrics.

Overall Impression—Good, But Not Wow

It's not fair to say the tournament was bad. Everything worked. The games were spectacular, and the organization was on point. But as an event, as an experience—it was lacking. No atmosphere, no surprises, no feeling of "that was something."

For comparison:

• Worlds for LoL in London—was a real show, a celebration where you feel part of something big.

• The International for Dota 2—a bit more modest, but with soul and a signature atmosphere.

• BLAST in Lisbon—quality, but dry. Without emotions, without immersion.