DOTA 2 returns to EWC 2025

May 19, 2025.

DOTA 2 is returning to the Esports World Cup for a second time in 2025! Last year we saw complete and utter domination from Gaimin Gladiators, who won its first Tier 1 Championship event on the EWC stage. What history will be made this year?

Dota 2 has had an esports scene for over 10 years, with veteran pros teaming up to become a part of history. Destroy the Ancient and you won’t be forgotten.


LAST TIME ON: Dota 2 at 2025 Esports World Cup

Last year’s Riyahd Masters was incredibly intense. Gaimin Gladiators rose out of their group and went on a historic run to claim their first tier 1 Championship over Liquid Echo in a flawless Grand Finals Sweep. Quinn was named the tournament MVP due to excellent individual play that made a huge impact during both the finals and the rest of the tournament.

Team Liquid, Team Falcons, and Tundra Esports filled out the rest of the final four, all teams who are hoping to return for revenge in 2025! Sixteen more teams will return to Riyadh to write the next chapter of Dota 2 at 2025 EWC! A real cliff-hanger as we wait for the next episode.


Dates and Tournament Format

The tournament will take place July 8-13 and July 17-19.

Last year's Champs, Gaimin Gladiators will be offered an invite to return in pursuit of the 2-peat.

Remaining qualification for the tournament will come from:

  • EPT rankings - 8 slots
  • Asian Champions League - 1 slot
  • Online qualifier - 6 slots

Online Open qualifiers for all regions will take place on June 3-4, where teams will advance to the closed qualifier to fight it out for the final spots in Dota 2 at 2025 Esports World Cup

Closed qualifiers will take place on:

  • June 5-7, WEU and NA
  • June 8-10, MESWA and SEA
  • June 11-13, EEU and SA

It all starts with a 16-team round robin, followed by a 12-team single-elimination group stage determining the top eight DOTA 2 teams in the world. The final eight standing will battle their way through a single elimination playoff until only the Dota 2 at 2025 Esports World Cup Champion is left standing.

Prize Pool

Dota 2 at 2025 Esports World Cup features a hefty prize pool of $3,000,000 USD.


About the Esports World Cup

The Esports World Cup is a global celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom. Making its return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2025, the annual Esports World Cup features a unique cross-game format that pits the world’s top esports Clubs and more than 1,500 players against one another for a share of the largest prize pool in esports history.