NS stated that all Dota 2 tournaments should be held using the Riyadh Masters 2025 format

Yaroslav "NS" Kuznetsov said that all Dota 2 tournaments should be switched to the Single Elimination system used at Riyadh Masters 2025, as it makes the competitions more spectacular.

The streamer and former eSports player spoke about this during a broadcast on Twitch:

"I didn't watch the final. And about the tournament format - group and Single Elimination - I've been saying for ages that this format is much better. I like it much more. Double Elimination, to be honest, I think is a *** system. I've probably been pedaling for ten years now that it would be nice to make Single Elimination in Dota, because double elimination is *****. It would be better to have two semi-finals and a final in bo5 on separate days. Or even one match per day for each semi-final and final. Let it be bo5, but without Double Elimination"

According to NS, the Single Elimination format is much more spectacular than Double Elimination, since only the most important and intense matches remain in it. In addition, it allows you to avoid a protracted playoff and maintain the interest of viewers throughout the tournament.

However, many professional players disagree with him. After the Riyadh Masters 2025 playoffs, eSports players have repeatedly noted that the Double Elimination system is more suitable for Dota 2, since it gives teams a second chance and allows viewers to watch spectacular comebacks.

Recall that earlier Quinn "Quinn" Callahan revealed the secret of Team Spirit winning strategy.