ESL, one of Dota 2’s biggest tournaments organizers, has unveiled loads of changes for the upcoming professional Dota 2 season. Based on the information we have, there will be a Tier 2 competitive scene, as well as a new EPT format. Moreover, ESL also revealed all of its tournament dates for the next season.
DreamLeague Division II – A Tier 2 Scene
The Tier 2 Dota 2 scene is one of the topics that not a lot of people want to talk about. It has been problematic for years because everyone can agree that Tier 2 players do not have enough opportunities. Well, it seems like this may come to an end because ESL has announced a new initiative.
DreamLeague Division II will launch next season and will be a lower-division circuit that will allow Tier 2 players to shine. This event will provide an opportunity for players to take part in the big ESL tournaments, such as the ESL One competitions, as well as Dream League.
Unfortunately, DreamLeague Division II will only be available to European Dota 2 teams. ESL plans to host 4 such events in total, and all of them will have a $200,000 combined prize pool.
Alongside the new competition, ESL mentioned that it will maintain its open qualifications. In other words, teams will still be able to qualify for all of the big tournaments the brand is known for. The DreamLeague Division II will be another opportunity to secure a slot for the big competition.
It’s safe to say that ESL’s new initiative is a breath of fresh air for Tier 2 Dota 2 teams. They haven’t had much luck since Valve shut down the DPC, but it seems like things are about to change for the better.
The new EPT Format
Alongside the addition of DreamLeague Division II, ESL also announced a new EPT format. The new Dota 2 competitive season will only offer us one ESL One tournament called “ESL One Spring” and it will be the flagship tournament in the middle of the season.
According to the information, it will be “positioned” between the two DreamLeague competitions.
Speaking of the events, here’s an overview
- DreamLeague Season 27 – Dec 10-25, 2025 – This event will include 24 Team Swiss into 8 teams DE playoffs.
- DreamLeague Season 28 – Feb 16-March 1, 2026 – The competition will feature the traditional Dota 2 event format.
- ESL One Europe – March 22-29, 2026 – This event will have 16 teams.
- DreamLeague Season 29 – May 13-24, 2026 – 12 Teams RR into 8 teams DE Playoffs
Conclusion
It is safe to say that Dota 2 fans worldwide are excited for what is to come. ESL is one of the most important companies for our favorite game because it is behind many of the big tournaments we love. Alongside the new top-tier events and EPT format, the addition of a major Tier 2 tournament will definitely have a good impact on the community.
With that said, all of these changes will take place once the new Dota 2 season starts. Until then, fans must wait and watch The International and the Esports World Cup 2025.
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