SALT LAKE CITY — The BLAST R6 Major is bringing elite esports competition to downtown Salt Lake City this week as eight of the world’s top Rainbow Six Siege teams compete for a share of a $600,000 prize pool.
The international tournament is taking place at the Salt Palace Convention Center and features teams and fans traveling from around the world for one of the biggest Rainbow Six Siege events of the year. The live finals run through the weekend.
Rainbow Six Siege is a tactical first-person shooter video game developed by Ubisoft. Unlike traditional fast-paced shooters, the game focuses heavily on strategy, communication, and teamwork. Players compete in five-person teams, using unique operators and gadgets to attack or defend objectives inside destructible environments.
“The game is one of the most demanding first-person shooters,” said Sebastien Ratto, Rainbow Six Esports senior director. “It’s all about tactics, strategy, vertical energy and team play.”
The BLAST R6 Major transforms the Salt Palace into a live esports arena with stage lighting, commentary, large video boards, and thousands of fans reacting in real time as teams compete.
Tournament organizers selected Salt Lake City as the host site because of its growing esports community and history of hosting large international events.
“That’s why we wanted to come to Salt Lake City, expand to a new city in the U.S.,” Ratto said. “The U.S. is a very passionate community. They’re very excited about the game.”
The tournament marks the first BLAST R6 Major of the season and continues through the weekend. The winning team will take home $200,000 from the overall prize pool.