Presenting DreamLeague Season 21, the latest addition to ESL's collection of high-stakes, high-reward tournaments. Scheduled to take place from September 18 to 24, this event boasts an impressive US$1 million prize pool, mirroring the payouts of its two preceding editions.
In celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Dota 2, players can enjoy an array of complimentary in-game items. And if that's not enough excitement, the 7.34b update of Dota 2 reintroduces beloved heroes like Sand King, Witch Doctor, and Invoker, effectively grounding them in the game's dynamic.
DreamLeague Season 21 could very well provide us with a valuable preview of the meta that will shape The International 12.
With participation confirmed from 10 prominent teams, many of which are set to compete in The International 2023, the stage is already set for a fierce competition. The roster will be completed by two more teams, whose identities are yet to be unveiled.
The participating teams are as follows:
- Gaimin Gladiators
- Team Liquid
- Tundra Esports
- Quest Esports
- Team Spirit
- 9Pandas
- BetBoom Team
- Talon Esports
- Shopify Rebellion
- Evil Geniuses
- TBA
- TBA
The 12 teams will be divided into two groups, each comprising six teams. The initial stage will see a double round-robin format, where every team plays against each other. Subsequently, the leading four teams from each group will advance to the double-elimination playoffs, characterized by best-of-three series.
The ultimate clash will witness the final two teams engaged in a gripping best-of-five grand final, with the victor emerging with a substantial prize of US$300,000.
Marking its conclusion just around two weeks prior to the commencement of TI12 on October 12, DreamLeague Season 21 aligns perfectly with Dota 2's premier tournament. This positioning positions the tournament as a pivotal gauge of teams' performance heading into TI, shedding light on the evolving meta.
DreamLeague Season 21 will be brought to viewers live through the ESL Dota 2 Twitch and YouTube channels, ensuring fans across the globe can immerse themselves in this spectacular event.
