BLAST Signs Multi-Year Partnership With IC Trading

BLAST has announced a new multi-year partnership with IC Trading, naming the online CFD and Forex broker the Official Online Trading Partner of both the BLAST Premier Counter-Strike 2 circuit and the BLAST Slam Dota 2 tournament series.

The agreement marks IC Trading's first major move into esports sponsorships and further strengthens BLAST's growing commercial portfolio, as the tournament organizer continues attracting global brands to its expanding lineup of competitive gaming events.

IC Trading to Feature Across BLAST Broadcasts and Live Events

Under the agreement, IC Trading's branding will be integrated across BLAST broadcasts, live arena events, and digital content throughout both tournament circuits. The partnership also includes fan competitions, exclusive content, and on-site activations at selected events, giving the trading platform visibility both online and in front of live audiences.

One of the collaboration's key features will be BLAST Higher Lower, a recurring segment on BLAST.tv where contestants guess the value of Counter-Strike 2 skins. According to BLAST, the game's emphasis on value estimation and quick decision-making aligns naturally with the analytical nature of online trading.

IC Trading is also expected to host interactive activations during select arena events, allowing fans to engage with the brand beyond traditional sponsorship placements.

Partnership Debuts at BLAST Premier Bounty

The collaboration will officially begin at BLAST Premier Bounty, which takes place in Malta from July 21 to August 3. The tournament will open the second Counter-Strike competitive season of 2026 and features 32 teams, a $1.15 million prize pool, and BLAST's unique opponent selection format, where participating teams choose their own opening-round matchups.

Commenting on the partnership, James Brown, Commercial Director at BLAST, said the agreement reflects how global brands increasingly view esports as a major entertainment platform rather than a niche marketing opportunity.

"IC is exactly the type of ambitious global brand that shows where esports is heading. By choosing BLAST as a platform, IC is investing in one of the most engaged digital audiences in global entertainment."

Meanwhile, Tony Philip, Chief Marketing Officer at IC Trading, said the company sees esports as a natural extension of its sponsorship strategy because of its focus on technology, precision, and highly engaged digital communities.

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Another Milestone in BLAST's Growth Strategy

The IC Trading announcement continues a busy period for BLAST as the company expands both commercially and operationally.

Earlier this month, BLAST reported a 40% year-over-year increase in revenue, surpassing $133 million in 2025 while announcing the opening of its new New York headquarters as part of its North American expansion strategy. The company has also continued growing its tournament ecosystem through new partnerships, including an agreement with Circuit X to oversee the North American regional qualifiers for BLAST Porto.

With another global brand joining its sponsorship portfolio, BLAST continues to strengthen its position as one of esports' leading tournament organizers while broadening the range of industries investing in competitive gaming.