The inaugural BLAST Open Spring 2025 has kicked off with remarkable success, setting new viewership records in its first Group Stage matches. The tournament has already outperformed many other Counter-Strike events in 2025, drawing over half a million peak viewers during the opening rounds. As the event heads into the playoffs, expectations are high for even greater audience engagement.
MOUZ vs. Team Spirit Becomes the Most-Watched Match
From March 19 to 23, the most popular game of the Group Stage was the high-stakes battle between MOUZ and Team Spirit. While Team Spirit boasts a dedicated Russian-speaking fanbase, this match saw a surge in international interest, particularly from English-speaking viewers. As a result, the clash between these two top-tier teams exceeded 500,000 peak viewers.
MOUZ has had an eventful journey in 2025. After a slow start to the year following their top-four finish at the Shanghai Major 2024, they regained momentum with a victory at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, where they defeated Team Falcons 3-1. They further cemented their status as a top team by securing second place at the ESL Pro League. Their matchup against Team Spirit in the Upper Bracket Semifinals of Group A was seen as a major test of their resurgence.
A Thrilling Match That Fans
The game lived up to the hype. Team Spirit dominated the first map, putting MOUZ under immense pressure. However, MOUZ bounced back with an overtime victory on the second map, setting the stage for a dramatic decider. The final map, Ancient, delivered an intense showdown, with MOUZ ultimately securing a hard-fought 25-22 win. The match’s nail-biting finish contributed to its soaring viewership, peaking at nearly 530,000 concurrent viewers.
BLAST Open Spring 2025 (image via Getty)Other High-Performing Matches in the Group Stage
Beyond MOUZ vs. Team Spirit, several other matchups drew significant audiences. Team Spirit’s elimination game against FaZe Clan and Virtus.pro’s clash with Team Falcons both attracted over 490,000 peak viewers. The tournament’s strong engagement was largely driven by two key Counter-Strike demographics: Russian-language viewers and English-speaking international audiences.
The Role of Co-Streamers in Boosting Viewership
Popular co-streamers also played a significant role in increasing the tournament’s general viewership. Brazilian streamer Alexandre “Gaules” Borba, one of the most prominent figures in the Counter-Strike community, had an impressive audience. However, his peak numbers came during FURIA’s elimination match against M80 rather than the most-watched group-stage games. Unfortunately for Brazilian fans, FURIA was eliminated in a heartbreaking 17-19 overtime loss, which likely means Brazilian viewership may decline in the playoff stage.
Other notable co-streamers included Ukrainian broadcaster Roman “mokrivskyi” Mokrivsky and German content creator Mark “ohnePixel” Zimmermann, who streams in English. Both of them attracted over 50,000 concurrent viewers, though they trailed behind Gaules, who leveraged his vast audience across both Twitch and YouTube.
BLAST Open Spring 2025 (image via Getty)BLAST Open Spring 2025 Could Become a Historic Tournament
The BLAST Open Spring 2025 is proving to be one of the most exciting and widely followed Counter-Strike tournaments of the year. With top teams in attendance and growing global viewership, it has already surpassed the popularity of other major third-party events like PGL Cluj-Napoca. As the tournament moves into the playoff stage, the viewership is expected to rise even further.
Depending on which teams advance, the BLAST Open Spring 2025 could set new records and establish itself as one of BLAST’s most successful tournament formats. With its combination of elite competition, dramatic matches, and massive fan engagement, this event is on track to become a landmark moment in the 2025 Counter-Strike season.
