Riyadh Masters 2024 is quickly approaching. The tournament is scheduled to start on July 4 and offers $5 million in prize money. The winner receives $1.5 million, the runner-up gets $800,000, and the 3rd place team $600,000.
These prizes are guaranteed to amply the competitiveness of each team. The matches should be very exciting to watch. But some teams are considerably stronger than others. Three of the 20 participants will be worth watching regardless of who you’re rooting for.
Team Falcons
Team Falcons did some extraordinary things in 2024, finishing in the top three at every single tournament they played in. They won four times and did it in a dominant fashion. The score was 3 – 0 each time, against opponents like BetBoom, Gaimin Gladiators, and Team Liquid. When they lost, they were bested by Xtreme Gaming and Team Spirit.
This team is in everyone’s minds the number one favorite to win the Dota 2 competition of Esports World Cup 2024. The fans will be on their side because they are from the MENA region and the tournament takes place in Riyadh.
The entire roster is composed of superstars with high MMR, lots of experience, and impressive achievements. The coach, Aui_2000, is the only man in the history of the game to win The International both as a player and a coach.
Skiter and Sneyking are former TI champions. Malr1ne and ATF are among the best in the world at their respective roles. Cr1t- is a former Major champion with OG. He also finished 3rd at The International in 2018.
BetBoom Team
Despite not winning a single event in 2024, BetBoom’s performance was very solid. At BetBoom Dacha Dubai and DreamLeague S23 they finished 3rd. At ESL One Birmingham and DreamLeague S22 they finished 2nd. Their only mediocre results came at Elite League S1 (11th – 12th) and PGL Wallachia S1 (9th – 11th).
Last year, BetBoom finished Riyadh Masters and The International in 5th – 6th place. This time, they will likely finish in the top four.
Gaimin Gladiators
The grind has been leading us to Riyadh’s doorstep.
One that @tOfuDota2 is looking forward to crossing out from the GG bucket list.
Are you in or what? ⚔️ #AgainstAllOdds | #RiyadhMasters | #EWC pic.twitter.com/o7v6t3cxU6
— GG | Gaimin Gladiators ⚔️ (@GaiminGladiator) June 25, 2024
Gladiators have maintained their 2023 roster intact. Last year, they won every DPC Major. This year, they haven’t been as good but still obtained a lot of important results. What’s encouraging is the fact that at their most recent tournament, DreamLeague S23, they finished 2nd.
Dyrachyo, Quinn, and the rest of the roster are hungry to win their first trophy of the season. Time will tell if they can do it or not but they certainly have a good chance.
Header: ESL, Esports World Cup Foundation
