Dota 2 Tournaments to Watch in 2023
Author: Hawk Live LLC
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Dota 2 is one of the most popular and dynamic esports disciplines today. Many large and significant Dota Pro Circuit tournaments are held annually, and 2023 is no exception. In this article, we will look at the biggest Dota 2 tournaments that you should definitely watch in 2023.
Dota Pro Circuit 2023
Currently, matches are being played among Division I teams in DPC 2023 Tour 2. Next up are the teams of Division II. And the sweetest for last - the Dota 2 Major. A format that has already become standard for DPC.
There are not as many tournaments from private organizers now as there used to be. It's not a significant difference, but it's noticeable. Tournament organizers are currently busy with DPC leagues, as this brings them a lot of views on Twitch. Instead of quickly passing, but always spectacular LAN or online tournaments, the viewer has received a certain stability. Either way, having a schedule is important.
Tour 2 (Spring):
● Division I: March 12 - April 2 (current)
● Division II: April 4 - 25
● Major: April 26 - May 7
Tour 3 (Summer):
● Open Qualifier: May 15 - 20
● Closed Qualifier: May 21 - 24
● Division I: May 15 - June 4
● Division II: June 6 - 27
● Major: June 28 - July 9 (approximately)
Dota 2 Majors 2023
Lima Major 2023
Despite the problems with organization, broadcasting, and others at the recent Lima Major 2023, Dota fans were thrilled. And most of all, fans from South America were thrilled. After all, for the first time in the history of Dota 2, a tournament of such scale and significance was held in SA.
However, the Lima Major 2023 showed what viewers want. Large LAN tournaments have always been a priority for viewing and attendance, not only among the public. Many players admit that they love LAN tournaments primarily for their atmosphere.
ESL One Berlin Major 2023
In February, ESL One announced the ESL One Berlin Major 2023, a major Dota 2 LAN tournament in Germany with live audiences, after more than three years. Due to the pandemic period, Europeans missed big esports tournaments. Tickets were sold out within a week.
The tournament will consist of three stages:
● Group Stage (online): April 26 - 30
● Playoffs (online): May 2 - 7
● Playoffs (arena): May 5 - 7
Group stage matches will be played in the best-of-two format. 1st-4th places in the groups will go to the upper bracket of the playoffs. 5th-6th places will fight in the lower bracket, and 7th-9th places will leave the Major. Groups at the tournament is known.
The first part of the playoffs will be held online. Only the top 6 teams will be able to compete in front of live audiences at the Velodrom arena in Berlin. The prize pool of the tournament is $500,000 and 2700 DPC points.
Group A:
- BetBoom Team
- Evil Geniuses
- 9 Pandas (ex-HellRaisers roster)
- Execration
- Gaimin Gladiators
- PSG.LGD
- Team Aster
- Team Liquid
- TSM
Group B:
- beastcoast
- Invictus Gaming
- OG
- Shopify Rebellion
- Talon Esports
- Team SMG
- Team Spirit
- Tundra Esports
- Xtreme Gaming
The Bali Major 2023
The DPC 2023 summer season will complete in the enchanting Bali, one of the world's top tourist destinations known for its beaches and temples. Indonesia has never hosted a major Dota 2 tournament before this.
This is the third city announced by Valve that will be hosting a tournament for the first time in history. IO Esports, who have experience in organizing major tournaments for several esports disciplines in the Southeast Asian region, is the designated organizer.
IO Esports, together with Epulze, have officially announced the dates of the Bali Major 2023. IO Esports Bali Major 2023 will be held at Ayana Estate, Bali, from June 29 to July 9. 18 best teams, based on the results of the Dota Pro Circuit Tour 3, will participate in the tournament. The Dota 2 Major prize pool will be $500,000 and 2700 DPC points.
Dota 2 leagues and tournaments
DreamLeague Season 19 & 20
In addition to the Berlin Major 2023, ESL has announced the return of the legendary DreamLeague series, with two seasons announced in the announcement. Additionally, ESL has updated their ranking system.
● DreamLeague Seasons 19: April 9-23
● DreamLeague Seasons 20: June 11-25
The winners of DreamLeague Seasons 19 and 20 will receive a direct invite to the group stage of the Riyadh Masters. Both tournaments are part of the ESL Pro Tour cycle.
List of participants:
● Gaimin Gladiators
● Tundra Esports
● Team Liquid
● Entity
● OG
● Shopify Rebellion
● nouns
● TSM
● Talon Esports
● Execration
● Evil Geniuses
● beastcoast
● Team Spirit
● HellRaisers
● Team Aster
● PSG.LGD
Riyadh Masters
● Riyadh Masters: July 17-30
At the end of the ESL Pro Tour, the Riyadh Masters will be held with a colossal prize pool of $15,000,000. Similar amounts were only seen at The International. The tournament will take place in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, from July 17 to 30. The tournament is organized by Savvy Gaming Group, which acquired the rights to ESL, DreamHack, and FACEIT in January 2022.
The tournament format will be divided into three stages:
● Play-in stage - 12 teams will participate, from which 8 will advance to the next stage. Matches will be played in a bo2 format.
● Group stage - 8 invited teams will compete against the winners of the Play-in stage for a spot in the Playoffs. The teams will be divided into two groups, and matches will be played in a bo3 format.
● Playoffs - The top 12 teams will compete for a record-breaking prize pool of $15 million. The 8 teams that placed first in their groups will compete in the upper bracket, while the teams that placed 5th-6th in their group will compete in the lower bracket. Series will be played in a bo3 format, with the finals in a bo5 format.
It is already known that the winners of DreamLeague Seasons 19 and 20 will be among the eight invited teams. An invite is also possible for the winners of the previous major, Gaming Gladiators, and the Arab audience favorites, Team Nigma. As for the other teams, there is no precise information yet.
IESF World Championship 2023
IESF World Championship 2023: August 25 - September 3
From August 25 to September 3, the IESF World Championship 2023 will take place. The series of tournaments is organized by the International Esports Federation (IeSF) and has been held since 2014. The tournament features teams whose players hold citizenship of one country. Essentially, this is a Dota 2 tournament between national teams.
The prize pool is $100,000, the same as last year. Previously, prize pools could only reach up to $50,000. For example, at the IESF World Championship 2021, $20,000 was awarded. Now, participation in the tournament has become more attractive for players.
The International 2023
The most anticipated, coveted, and grand tournament of the year. However, Valve is not even hinting at the date and location for The International 2023.
The dates for TI13 are not yet known, but taking into account previous years, it is possible to roughly estimate the date. The Bali Major 2023, if looking at the preliminary dates, ends around the beginning-middle of July. This, in turn, allows for the last regional qualifiers and the International itself to be held earlier. Comparing to last year, the time between the last Major of the previous DPC season, PGL Arlington Major 2022, and TI2022 was approximately two months.
If following this logic, The International 2023 will take place in the first half of September. However, Valve may take a long time to determine the location or simply change the dates at their discretion.
In any case, after TI and reshuffles, there will be almost two months before the start of the new Dota Pro Circuit season. Unfortunately, this is not enough to hold another DPC season and organize a fourth Major in a year. But we would like to see tournament announcements specifically for this period before the celebration of Christmas and New Year.
