Dota 2 Returns to Esports World Cup 2025 with $3 Million Prize Pool

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The highly anticipated Dota 2 tournament is set to make a grand return to the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Scheduled from July 8th to 19th, 16 top-tier teams from around the globe will battle for their share of a massive $3 million (~£2.3 million) prize pool, raising the stakes for one of the biggest esports events of the year.

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Format and Structure: Intense Competition Across Multiple Stages

The EWC 2025 Dota 2 event features a multi-phase format designed to test the skill and endurance of every team. It kicks off with a group stage, where 16 teams are split into four groups of four. Each group plays a round-robin format, with the top team from each group advancing directly to the playoffs.

The remaining 12 teams enter a gauntlet bracket, fighting for survival and a chance to claim one of the four remaining playoff spots. This gauntlet is a fierce elimination phase where the pressure is at its highest—only the top four from this stage move on.

Finally, the playoffs will feature eight teams competing in a single-elimination bracket, culminating in a thrilling fight for the championship title and the lion’s share of the prize pool. Alongside the team prizes, an individual MVP will receive a $10,000 (~£7,500) bonus for outstanding performance.

Watch Live on Official Channels

Fans worldwide can catch all the action live via the EWC’s official Twitch and YouTube channels, ensuring global access to every intense moment of this premier Dota 2 competition.

Teams to Watch and Qualification Pathways

Defending champions Gaimin Gladiators are automatically invited to defend their title after their stunning victory in 2024, where they took home $1.5 million from a $5 million prize pool. Other fierce competitors include:

• The top eight teams from the EPT Tour Ranking as of June 1st, 2025.
• Champions of the Asian Champions League, namely Xtreme Gaming.
• Winners from regional online qualifiers across SEA (Southeast Asia), SA (South America), NA (North America), MESWA (Middle East and South West Asia), EEU (Eastern Europe), and WEU (Western Europe).

The qualification process consists of open qualifiers held on June 3rd and 4th, leading into closed qualifiers spanning from June 5th to 13th, divided by region to ensure fair competition and regional representation:

• June 5-7: Western Europe and North America
• June 8-10: Middle East/South West Asia and Southeast Asia
• June 11-13: Eastern Europe and South America

The Legacy of the EWC Dota 2 Tournament

Last year’s tournament was a milestone, setting a new standard for competitive Dota 2 esports. Gaimin Gladiators’ win marked the first championship for the event, followed by Team Liquid in second place and Team Falcons from Saudi Arabia finishing third—highlighting the rising competitive scene in the Middle East.

This year’s tournament promises even more excitement and fierce competition as the world’s best teams converge on Riyadh to claim esports glory and significant prize money.

The Esports World Cup: A Hub for Global Competition

The Dota 2 tournament is part of the broader Esports World Cup 2025, which features multiple popular esports titles and continues to grow as a premier global esports festival. With a combined prize pool for all games reaching tens of millions, the EWC stands as a testament to esports’ booming popularity and international appeal.

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