Abu Dhabi, 15th December 2022: BLAST and AD Gaming – a pioneering gaming and esports initiative, have reaffirmed the importance of their partnership and how the BLAST Premier World Final 2022 in Abu Dhabi will help support the growth of the gaming and esports landscape in Abu Dhabi and the Middle East.

 

Yas Island’s Etihad Arena will open its doors to the public this weekend on 17th and 18th December for the most high-profile global esports tournament to be staged in the UAE capital following a three-year partnership between BLAST and AD Gaming.

 

The event which began on Wednesday features eight of the world’s best esports organisations in action in the Counter-Strike tournament, which will have a prize pool of USD $1 million.

 

In a video ahead of this weekend’s action, Sultan Al Riyami, Head of Esports and Gaming at AD Gaming and Charlotte Kenny, Managing Director of BLAST Premier spoke about the popularity of gaming and esports and their shared ambition to help the industry grow in the UAE and Middle East region.

 

Sultan Al Riyami, said: “One of the things that we have recognised here in Abu Dhabi was to partner with the right stakeholder to help make the gaming development part and the esports part of the industry really thrive.

 

“We’re thrilled to have BLAST as a partner because something that they have successfully done time and time again is put on incredible esports productions. Be it in Copenhagen or in Portugal and now in Abu Dhabi. We are really excited to see this come to fruition and we have a really exciting few days of Counter-Strike ahead.”

 

Charlotte Kenny said: “The Middle East and the GCC has been growing its esports scene rapidly and we’re really focused on developing the communities and building on this great partnership and the great work that AD Gaming has been doing. There’s such as thriving community in Abu Dhabi and can’t wait to be showcasing our world event at the Etihad Arena.”

 

Tickets are still available to the event which will also include a BLAST Gaming Zone with plenty of activities lined up for all fans to enjoy.

 

Kenny added: “I am super excited and delighted with what we've got planned for this weekend. People describe it as a rock concert. It's everything. You can expect fireworks, you can expect education, you can expect gaming zones. This is one event not to be missed.”

 

Tickets for 17th and 18th December cost as low as AED 50 for Students and AED 115.