The highly anticipated BLAST Slam II tournament for Dota 2 is set to take place from February 3 to 9, 2025, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Featuring 10 top teams competing for a massive $1 million prize pool, the event promises intense action and high stakes.
However, some notable absences have sparked discussions among fans.
Invited Teams
BLAST has confirmed the 10 teams competing in the second edition of its Dota 2 tournament. Among the lineup are new contenders stepping in for established names that missed out on invitations:
- Team Liquid
- Team Falcons
- Parivision
- Xtreme Gaming
- Gaimin Gladiators
- Tundra Esports
- BetBoom Team (winners of BLAST Slam I)
- Yakult Brothers (China)
- Talon Esports (Southeast Asia)
- Nigma Galaxy
Notable Absences
The absence of Team Spirit, the champions of The International 2021 and 2023, stands out as a major talking point. Their last-place finish in the inaugural BLAST Slam event seems to have influenced the decision. Additionally, HEROIC and OG also missed out on invitations, leaving room for three new teams to join the fray.
Event Format
Group Stage (February 3–6)
- Teams are divided into two groups of five.
- Matches follow a round-robin format with best-of-one (BO1) games.
- Teams earn points to determine their playoff seeding:
- 1st place: Advances directly to the semifinals.
- 2nd place: Advances to the quarterfinals.
- 3rd place: Enters playoffs in Round 2.
- 4th and 5th place: Begin playoffs in Round 1.
Playoffs (February 7–9)
- Single-elimination bracket.
- Most matches are best-of-three (BO3), except for the Grand Final, which is played as a best-of-five (BO5).
Prize Pool Distribution
The $1 million prize pool will be distributed among all participating teams as follows:
- 1st place: $400,000
- 2nd place: $200,000
- 3rd–4th place: $80,000 each
- 5th–6th place: $50,000 each
- 7th place: $40,000
- 9th–10th place: $30,000 each
Conclusion
The BLAST Slam II is shaping up to be an unmissable event for Dota 2 fans, offering a blend of seasoned competitors and new challengers. With $1 million on the line and an intense tournament structure, expect thrilling matches and unforgettable moments in Copenhagen this February.
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