Dota 2 will return to the Riyadh-hosted Esports World Cup in 2027, although dates, format and prize cash are nonetheless to come back. The title has by no means been gained twice, and its prize pool has fallen at each version up to now.
Dota 2’s place at Esports World Cup 2027 was introduced with out dates, a prize pool, a format or any invited groups. The entire occasion is listed for July to August 2027.
The 2026 event had initially been deliberate for Riyadh earlier than it was moved to Paris on 20 Might 2026.
Dota 2 prize cash has fallen at each version
The primary version, Riyadh Masters 2024, carried a US$5,000,000 prize pool. In 2025 Group Spirit took US$1,000,000 from a US$3,000,000 pool in a 16-team occasion. The 2026 event ran from 7 to 19 July with 24 groups. That discipline was eight groups bigger than a yr earlier.
The winner nonetheless takes a big share. PARIVISION collected US$750,000, or 37.5% of the pool, plus 1,000 Membership Championship factors. Runners-up BetBoom Group obtained US$340,000 and 750 factors, Liquipedia reported.
These factors feed into a bigger prize. In 2026 the Membership Championship paid US$30 million throughout the highest 24 golf equipment. The champion membership obtained US$7 million from an total occasion prize pool of US$75 million. AG.AL gained it with 5,300 factors, stopping Group Falcons from successful a 3rd title in a row. For organisations weighing the price of a Dota 2 roster, that membership prize is a part of the calculation.
Not each membership is staying. Falcons launched all 5 gamers from the roster that gained The Worldwide 2025, in line with Timesaver.gg.
PARIVISION can change into the primary membership to win twice
No membership or participant has gained the occasion’s Dota 2 title greater than as soon as. Every of the three editions went to a unique membership with a unique roster. Gaimin Gladiators beat Group Liquid within the 2024 last. A yr later, Group Spirit swept Group Falcons 3-0. Because the 2026 champions, PARIVISION now get the primary likelihood to defend the title.
Their rivals arrive in kind. Group Spirit went out of the 2026 occasion earlier than the ultimate. A month later, they gained The Worldwide 2026 in Shanghai. Yatoro and Collapse grew to become the primary gamers to win three Internationals. Group Yandex completed third at each the 2026 Esports World Cup and The Worldwide. After signing ATF, they gained PGL Wallachia Season 9 and BLAST SLAM VIII.
The route into the occasion is taking form. The organiser’s Street to EWC qualifier programme for 2027 goals to contain 1.8 million gamers throughout greater than 400 occasions. Qualifier slots for every recreation will likely be introduced later. Counter-Strike 2, already confirmed for each 2027 and 2028, will maintain a 32-team occasion in Riyadh from 20 July to 1 August 2027.
Additional studying
