The BLAST Slam III is returning stronger than ever, bringing together the world’s most competitive Dota 2 teams. Since entering the Dota 2 scene in late 2024, BLAST has established itself as a premier tournament organizer. Now, just as ESL One Raleigh comes to a close, fans are turning their eyes toward the next major: BLAST Slam III.
This week, BLAST revealed the list of the 10 directly invited teams that will compete for glory and a massive prize pool.
Complete List of Invited Teams to BLAST Slam III
There are no open qualifiers or additional invites — this is the final roster of teams:
Tundra Esports
Xtreme Gaming
Team Spirit
Falcons
Team Liquid
Team Tidebound
Aurora
Gladiators
BetBoom Team
Parivision
Source: BLAST
No Qualifiers Means High Stakes from the Start
Unlike traditional formats, BLAST Slam III is skipping regional qualifiers. This means only invited teams will participate, raising the competitive bar and eliminating the unpredictability of open slots. This approach guarantees a lineup of proven contenders from start to finish.
BLAST Slam III Format: Round-Robin Groups + King of the Hill Playoffs
One of the most innovative aspects of the BLAST Slam tournament is its unique format — one that differs significantly from standard systems like GSL or double elimination brackets.
Group Stage
The group stage follows a compact yet competitive structure:
Two groups of five teams
Round-robin format
All matches are Best-of-1 (Bo1)
No eliminations in this phase
Group placement determines playoff seeding
Even though there are no eliminations in the group stage, your position matters a lot in the next phase.
Playoffs – The “King of the Hill” System
The playoffs introduce a rarely seen but exciting system called King of the Hill, where your performance in the group stage determines how close you are to the Grand Final.
Here’s how it breaks down:
1st place → Starts in Semifinals
2nd place → Starts in Quarterfinals
3rd place → Starts in Round 2
4th and 5th place → Begin in Round 1
Source: Liquipedia
$1 Million Prize Pool
The tournament boasts a $1,000,000 prize pool, making it one of the most lucrative events on the 2025 Dota 2 calendar. The funds will be split among the teams based on their final placements, offering massive rewards for both rosters and organizations.
Where to Watch BLAST Slam III Live
Fans won’t miss a beat, as BLAST Slam III will be streamed live across multiple platforms:
Expect full production quality, expert casting, and in-depth coverage across both streams.