Dota 2 is back on the grand stage as the Esports World Cup 2025 begins in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing together top teams from across the globe to compete for fame, pride, and a massive three million dollar prize pool. This event serves as the final chapter in the ESL Pro Tour for the year and promises high stakes action from some of the biggest names in the Dota 2 scene. With the added incentive of earning points towards the Esports World Cup Club Championship, the pressure is greater than ever.
The format this year adds a competitive edge right from the start. The sixteen participating teams are divided into four groups of four. Each team will face the others in their group in a round robin format. The group winners will directly qualify for the Playoffs, while the second place finishers move to the second round of the Elimination Phase. The third and fourth place teams from each group will also get another shot in the first round of the Elimination Phase. The entire elimination journey follows a gauntlet style bracket where every match counts and no one is safe.
From July 12 to 13, the Elimination Phase will determine the four remaining teams that will advance to the Playoffs, joining the group winners to complete the final eight. From that point, the competition becomes even more intense. The Playoffs will run as a single elimination bracket, where teams must win every series to survive. Matches in the Elimination Phase and Playoffs are best of three, while the Grand Final will be a best of five series to crown the 2025 champion.
Some of the top contenders in this year’s tournament include defending Riyadh Masters winners Gaimin Gladiators, who are placed in Group B alongside regional powerhouse BetBoom Team and rising stars Team Falcons. The Falcons, a relatively new force in Dota 2, have already made headlines with their back to back top finishes in recent global events. In Group C, Tundra Esports continues its dominant run in 2025, having recently lifted trophies at BLAST Slam II, Slam III, and FISSURE Playground 1.
Other familiar names such as Team Spirit, Team Liquid, and Shopify Rebellion are also in the mix, promising an event full of unpredictable clashes and world class gameplay. The presence of teams like NAVI, Virtus.pro, and HEROIC further enriches the lineup, ensuring every match is packed with talent and potential upsets.
The total prize pool is distributed in a way that rewards consistent performance. The winning team will take home one million dollars, while the runners up will receive five hundred thousand. Third and fourth place teams will pocket three hundred and two hundred thousand respectively, and even teams that exit early will not go empty handed, with payouts extending down to fifty thousand for those finishing in the lower bracket.
Fans around the world can follow the Dota 2 Esports World Cup live on multiple platforms including Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, Weibo, and Bilibili. ESL and the Esports World Cup Foundation are offering global streams to ensure fans from every region can experience the excitement as it happens. In addition to the broadcasts, free to play fantasy competitions will also be available, allowing fans to build their own dream teams and win real prizes based on live performance.
The Dota 2 Esports World Cup 2025 is not just a celebration of skill but a showcase of the game’s ever growing global appeal. With fresh storylines, emerging contenders, and a format that leaves little room for error, this tournament sets the tone for what Dota 2 esports will look like in the years to come.
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