The ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 is set to be a riveting event in the Dota 2 calendar. Following the post-TI12 reshuffles, this tournament serves as a major testing ground for the world’s top teams. From December 11th to 17th, 2023, 12 elite teams, comprising a mix of direct invites and qualifiers, will battle for a whopping prize pool of $1,000,000 USD.
Team Line-Up: A Global Assembly
The tournament features 12 teams, split into two groups:
Group A
- Azure Ray (Invited)
- BetBoom Team (Eastern Europe)
- Blacklist International (Southeast Asia)
- Gaimin Gladiators (Invited)
- Team Secret (Western Europe)
- Wawitas Sagazes (South America)
Group B
- LGD Gaming (Invited)
- Team Liquid (Western Europe)
- 9Pandas (Eastern Europe)
- Team Falcons (MENA)
- Invictus Gaming (China)
- Team Undying (North America)
Tournament Format and Schedule
Group Stage (December 11th to 13th)
- Single round-robin format in two groups of six
- All series are Best of 2 (Bo2)
- Top two teams per group proceed to the upper bracket playoffs
- Third and fourth place advance to the lower bracket
- Bottom two teams from each group are eliminated
Playoffs (December 15th to 17th)
- Double elimination bracket
- All series are Best of 3 (Bo3), except the grand final
- Grand final is a Best of 5 (Bo5) series
Prize Pool Distribution
The $1,000,000 prize pool, along with ESL Pro Tour (EPT) Points, is distributed as follows:
- 1st Place: $300,000 (4,800 EPT Points)
- 2nd Place: $175,000 (3,600 EPT Points)
- 3rd Place: $120,000 (3,000 EPT Points)
- 4th Place: $85,000 (2,400 EPT Points)
- 5th-6th Places: $57,500 (1,680 EPT Points)
- 7th-8th Places: $47,500 (780 EPT Points)
- 9th-10th Places: $30,000 (420 EPT Points)
- 11th-12th Places: $25,000 (210 EPT Points)
Key Insights and Teams to Watch
The ESL One Kuala Lumpur is critical for gaining an early advantage in the ESL Pro Tour. Teams to watch include the Falcons, who recently impressed at the Pinnacle: 25 Year Anniversary Show, and other teams who have undergone significant changes post-TI12.
ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023: Defining the Future of Dota 2 Esports
ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 promises to be a landmark event in the Dota 2 esports scene, showcasing the impact of recent team reshuffles and setting the tone for the upcoming season. It’s an event filled with anticipation and excitement, where strategy, skill, and teamwork will be key to victory.