BLAST confirms Cache addition at upcoming events (and most qualifiers)

BLAST has confirmed that Cache will enter its map pool in place of Overpass starting with its upcoming tournaments. The move follows Valve's June 22 announcement returning the map to the Active Duty pool, and means Cache will be back in top-level competition for the first time in roughly seven years.

The change will apply to the organizer's major events on the horizon: BLAST Bounty, BLAST Open Porto, and BLAST Rivals Hong Kong will now feature the classic map in the rotation instead of Overpass.

Qualifiers move to Cache too — with one exception

The shift isn't limited to the main events. Most of the BLAST Open Porto open qualifiers will adopt the new pool as well. The open qualifiers in Asia, Europe, and South America, which get underway in July, will be played with Cache, as will the closed qualifier.

The only exception is the North American open qualifier, which began on June 27 and keeps the previous pool for scheduling reasons: since it started before the switch, BLAST chose not to change the rules midway through.

What it means for the scene

Cache's return, replacing Overpass, reshapes preparation for every team heading into the second half of the season. This is a map that has been out of frontline competition for years, so setups, strategies, and roles will have to be rebuilt almost from scratch. In practice, that creates a window of opportunity: teams that master the new version of the map first could gain a meaningful edge while everyone else adjusts.

With BLAST aligning with Valve's official pool right away, the coming tournaments will serve as the first real testing ground for how Cache performs at the highest level — and which teams adapt best to the comeback of one of the community's most beloved maps.

Source: HLTV / BLAST.