IC expands global sports strategy with major multi-year BLAST partnership

• The global online trading provider will activate across BLASTs Valve ecosystems broadcasts, arenas, digital content and fan experiences.

• IC will make its esports debut at the upcoming BLAST Premier Bounty S2 in Malta (21st July).

Competitive entertainment company BLAST has announced IC as the Official Online Trading Partner of BLAST Premier and BLAST Slam, marking the global trading providers entry into esports through a major multi-year partnership.

The multi-year partnership extends IC‘s global sponsorship strategy into esports, with activations across BLAST’s international Counter-Strike and Dota 2 ecosystems, reaching millions of highly engaged, digitally native fans through live broadcasts, arena events, original content, and online experiences via BLAST.tv.

The partnership builds on IC‘s growing global sponsorship portfolio, which already includes Formula 1 through its partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing Haas F1 Team, reinforcing the brand’s association with precision, performance and technology.

IC will be integrated across the BLAST fan experience through broadcast branding, arena visibility, bespoke content, fan competitions and on-site activations, creating multiple opportunities to engage directly with audiences.

A key part of the collaboration will see IC present BLAST Higher Lower, BLAST.tvs Counter-Strike 2 skin value game. The activation brings IC into the fan experience through a format centred on value, price comparison and quick judgment, all key factors in online trading.

Getting closer to the action, IC Markets will also have the opportunity to connect directly with fans and guests at selected BLAST arena events through physical activations. A key touchpoint that will bring the brand closer to the live-event energy that has helped make esports one of the fastest-growing entertainment categories in the world.

James Brown, Commercial Director at BLAST, said:

IC is exactly the type of ambitious global brand that shows where esports is heading. This is a company already operating in high-performance environments like Formula 1 and now choosing BLAST as a platform to reach one of the most engaged digital audiences in global entertainment. This partnership goes far beyond brand visibility. IC will be part of the broadcast, part of the arena experience, part of our content and part of how fans engage with BLAST.tv. That is what makes this exciting. It is a brand using esports as a serious global media and engagement platform.

Tony Philip, Chief Marketing Officer at IC, said:

“At IC, we look for partnerships that reflect what our brand stands for. BLAST brings together technology, performance, precision and highly engaged global communities, making esports a natural extension of our sponsorship strategy. As our brand continues to evolve globally, this partnership allows us to connect with a new generation of digitally native audiences through experiences that reflect the values our brand is built on – technology, precision and performance.”

IC will debut at the upcoming BLAST Premier Bounty, hosted in Malta from July 25th to the 3rd August. BLAST Premier Bounty is BLASTs Counter-Strike tournament that signals the start of the second competitive season in 2026. 32 teams will battle it out in unique circumstances, selecting their opponents directly and attempting to win big from the $1,150,000 USD prize pool.

About BLAST

BLAST is a global competitive entertainment company with a mission to bring mega entertainment to the world, taking esports, gaming and other new competitive formats to the next level.

BLAST is famous for pioneering the esports category through stunning, high-production-quality, big creative ideas, and game-changing, fan-first moments. Bringing together the biggest teams and brightest superstars to fight it out for glory and big-money multi-million-dollar prize pools in the worlds biggest arenas from London and Singapore to Austin and Rio.

BLAST has offices in Copenhagen (HQ), London, Berlin, Mumbai, Malta and New York City. The company is currently working with world-leading game publishers Riot Games, Epic Games, Valve, Supercell and Ubisoft to produce, market and deliver esports for popular titles Rocket League, Fortnite, Rainbow Six, Brawl Stars, Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2.

About IC

IC is one of the worlds largest online trading providers, offering access to a wide range of trading instruments across Forex, indices, commodities, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. Founded in 2007 in Australia, IC is known for its deep liquidity, ultra-low spreads, and advanced trading technology, trusted by traders in over 200 countries. Ranked No. 1 globally for retail FX/other volumes (Finance Magnates Q4 Report), IC continues to invest in innovation, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships as it expands across the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.