Cloud9 buyout EG's BLAST Partner slot

Cloud9 has secured the BLAST Premier slot previously held by Evil Geniuses, as confirmed by an announcement from BLAST on X. This acquisition follows a competitive bidding process, positioning Cloud9 to start participating in the BLAST Premier Spring Groups starting January 2024.

This move comes despite Valve's recent decision to terminate team and tournament organizer partnerships beginning in 2025. Post-2025, tournaments will be forced to allocate spots through open qualifiers or invite teams based on Valve's Regional Standings, a ranking system introduced late last year by the developer.

For Cloud9, locking in a BLAST Premier slot is a significant advantage. The Russian lineup had previously navigated challenging qualification routes for the events hosted by the two tier 1 tournament organizers, BLAST and ESL. Notably, Cloud9 is not part of ESL's partnership arrangement, known as the Louvre Agreement because of their involvement in the Flashpoint program.

Jack Etienne, CEO of Cloud9, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, highlighting the team's commitment to global excellence and competitiveness. He emphasized that joining the prestigious BLAST Premier league aligns with Cloud9's dedication to showcasing the skill and determination of their talented players on an international stage.

Meanwhile, Chris DeAppolonio, CEO of Evil Geniuses, conveyed gratitude for the three years the organization spent competing in the BLAST Premier league. Despite their withdrawal, DeAppolonio expressed ongoing support for North American Counter-Strike talent within the league.

Despite 2024 being potentially the last year of partner leagues, this move is still a huge win for C9 as they will now be able to compete in both the Spring and Fall groups, allowing them to get easier ranking points and better invites to the BLAST Finals.