ESL One Los Angeles to be Played Online; New Format Announced

Cover and thumbnail via @ESL Dota2

In what has to be a first ever for the Dota Pro Circuit, a Major will be played out entirely online. The decision was made in light of the global pandemic caused by Covid-19 and the fact that there is no saying when things will be back to normal. Earlier this month it was revealed that the Major had been postponed indefinitely. 

Also read: ESL One Los Angeles Major postponed indefinitely] 

Moving the tournament online will mean that there is a change in format. The tournament will now be a 34 team event which includes teams from the Minor as well as teams from the ESL World Ranking. Instead all the teams playing in one tournament, there will be 5 regional online leagues from March 28 to April 19. A total prize pool of 375,000 USD has been allocated to the event. 

Prize pool and Format 

Total Prize Pool: 375,000 USD

EU + CIS - 200,000 USD

NA/South America/SEA - 40,000 USD

China - 55,000 USD

Dates: March 28 - April 19

Each region will have a different format and different number of teams. 

• Europe + CIS - 2 Groups of 8 teams each. Format is not finalized and there will be playoffs where top teams from both groups have to play. 
• China - 1 Group with 6 teams. 1st and 2nd placed teams will start in the upper bracket of playoffs while 3rd and 4th placed teams start in the lower bracket. 
• NA/SEA/SA - 1 Group with 4 teams. 1st placed team starts off in the grand finals. 2nd and 3rd placed teams play a bo3 to reach the grand finals. 

All matches will be bo3 except the finals, which is a bo5.

Teams 

• Europe: Team Secret, OG, Team Liquid, Alliance, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Nigma, Natus Vincere, Virtus.Pro, Gambi Esports, Team Spirit, Hellraisers, B8 Esports, Cyber Legacy, Gentlemen, +2
• North America: Evil Geniuses, Cr4zy, Business Associates, Chaos Esports
• South America: Beastcoast, Thunder Predator, Furia, Noping Esports
• China: Invictus Gaming, PSG.LGD, Vici Gaming, Newbee, Royal Never Give Up, EHOME
• SEA: Fnatic, Adroit, Geek Fam, BOOM ID 

As of now there is no confirmation whether there will be DPC Points for the tournament but it is unlikely as the competitive integrity and the format has been altered. 

ESL One Birmingham

ESL One Birmingham will also be taking place online from 24th May to 7th June.The event will now have a total prize pool of 335,000 USD and those who purchased tickets can redeem them for ESL One Birmingham 2021. More details on the announcement about ESL One Birmingham can be found here.