ESL announces a $1 million Dota 2 event for December

Just days after Valve announced its decision to abolish the Dota Pro Circuit and return to a professional circuit that’s more similar to that of Counter-Strike, ESL has announced a $1 million Dota 2 event that will take place between December 11-17.

The tournament is called ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023, and it is not the first high-caliber competition that takes place in Malaysia. The speed with which ESL has moved to fill in the void left by the removal of DPC is impressive.

Even more impressive is the company’s commitment to substantial prize pools. It’s well-known at this point that Dota 2’s community is only 40% of that of Counter-Strike. And CS events offer $1 million in prize money. Giving the same amount of money for Dota is both brave and generous.

🔮 PREPARE FOR YOUR FATE 🔮

Destiny brings us back to Malaysia for #ESLOne Kuala Lumpur 2023! 12 teams will face each other from December 11th to 17th for a $1,000,000 prize pool ⚔️

Let’s get the future off to a good start, hmm? ⌛ #RiseAboveFate

🇲🇾 https://t.co/BsUeHDgsVL pic.twitter.com/BlXSIJubCW

— ESL Dota2 (@ESLDota2) September 19, 2023

The beginning of a new era for Dota 2’s esports scene

ESL already has several $1 million events that have become traditional in recent years. All of them are part of the DreamLeague series. The 21^st edition of this epic competition is taking place these days, and two more already took place earlier this year.

Compared to DPC’s $500.000 Majors and $205.000 regional leagues, these DreamLeague events seem a lot more significant, at least for the teams.

For spectators, they’re certainly not as hyped as the Majors because they take place online. The whole thing feels like 2021 all over again. But now that the DPC is no more, ESL and other tournament organizers, such as PGL and even BLAST, will have plenty of room to maneuver and make their unique mark on Dota 2’s esports scene.

This is exactly what Valve complained about and asked for in its announcement. An awful lack of innovation characterized the last 4 years and it’s about time that companies like ESL take matters into their own hands.

Valve is not known to be a company that loves to put together Dota 2 events. Far from it. It is much better for everyone if they are left to focus on what they do best and give others the responsibility to make Dota’s esports circuit fun for everyone.

About ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023

ESL One Kuala Lumpur will feature 12 teams that will either get invited or qualify for the event. We don’t know yet. All we know is that the teams will be divided into two groups of six, and that the playoffs will consist of a double-elimination bracket. Matches will be Bo2 (groups), Bo3 (playoffs) and Bo5 (Grand Final).

Header: ESL