Dota 2 is making its anticipated return to the Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2025, bringing together 16 elite teams from across the globe. The competition will unfold in Riyadh from July 8 to July 19, with a $3 million prize pool up for grabs. Additionally, results from this event will contribute to the overall EWC Club Championship, which features a separate prize pool of $27 million.
Below is a complete overview of what to expect from this year’s Dota 2 EWC event, including the tournament structure, qualification process, and top contenders.
Tournament Format Overview
The Dota 2 tournament will open with a group stage, featuring 16 teams divided into four groups of four. Teams in each group will play a round robin, and only the top squad from each group will advance directly to the playoffs.
The remaining 12 teams will battle it out in a gauntlet bracket. Only the top four performers from this bracket will move on to the playoffs, while the others will be knocked out of the event.
The playoff phase will consist of eight teams competing in a single-elimination format, where every match could be the last for the losing side.
To reward standout performances, an MVP bonus of $10,000 will also be awarded. Fans will be able to catch every match live via the official Esports World Cup streams on YouTube and Twitch.
Who’s Competing? Teams and Qualification Pathways
A combination of invitations, rankings, and regional qualifiers will determine the lineup for this year’s Dota 2 EWC.
Returning to defend their 2024 championship title are the Gaimin Gladiators, who secured a memorable victory last year. Other teams will qualify through the following routes:
- Top eight from the EPT Tour Rankings as of June 1, 2025
- Asian Champions League winners (Xtreme Gaming)
- Regional qualifier winners from Southeast Asia (SEA), South America (SA), North America (NA), Middle East & South West Asia (MESWA), Eastern Europe (EEU), and Western Europe (WEU)
Open qualifiers for all regions are scheduled for June 3–4. Successful teams will proceed to the closed qualifiers for a final shot at reaching Riyadh.
Closed qualifier schedule:
- June 5–7: Western Europe and North America
- June 8–10: MESWA and Southeast Asia
- June 11–13: Eastern Europe and South America
A Look Back at the 2024 Champions
At the 2024 edition of the Esports World Cup, the Gaimin Gladiators secured the championship title and took home $1.5 million from a $5 million prize pool. Team Liquid earned the runner-up spot with $800,000, while local favorites Team Falcons claimed third place and $600,000.
With the stakes just as high in 2025 and a fresh lineup of challengers ready to compete, this year’s Dota 2 tournament is shaping up to be one of the biggest esports events of the summer.
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