TL;DR
- 20 elite Dota 2 teams compete for record-breaking $15 million prize pool
- Group Stage features 12 directly qualified teams including Gaimin Gladiators and Tundra Esports
- Play-in tournament determines 8 additional slots through ESL Pro Tour rankings
- Event runs July 17-30 in Saudi Arabia as part of Gamers8 festival
- Tournament structure includes round-robin groups and single elimination matches
Games and Esports Articles Dota 2
The Dota 2 competitive landscape welcomes an exciting new addition this year with the groundbreaking $15 million Riyadh Masters 2023, a tournament already earning comparisons to the prestigious “The International” due to its massive scale and Middle Eastern location. While the core Group Stage participants have been finalized, the remaining slots will be determined through an intense play-in qualification process. This comprehensive guide will be continuously updated as new team confirmations emerge throughout the qualification period.
Which teams will participate in Riyadh Masters 2023?
Direct Group Stage Qualifiers
- Gaimin Gladiators (DL S19 champions – secured through dominant DreamLeague performance)
- Evil Geniuses (Consistent DreamLeague placement – earned through sustained regional dominance)
- Tundra Esports (Strong DreamLeague results – demonstrating Western European strength)
- Talon Esports (Southeast Asian representation – qualified through regional DreamLeague standings)
- BetBoom (Eastern European contender – earned spot via consistent DreamLeague performances)
- Team Spirit (CIS region powerhouse – qualified through DreamLeague achievement)
- Shopify Rebellion (North American representative – secured through regional DreamLeague results)
- PSG.LGD (Chinese elite team – DL S20 qualification showcasing regional strength)
- Eight advancing teams from Play-in tournament (Determined through intense qualification battles)
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The following squads represent provisional qualifiers based on current ESL Pro Tour standings following the conclusion of the Bali Major. These teams must navigate the challenging play-in phase to secure their main event positions.
Play-in Tournament Participants
- Quest Esports (MENA regional qualifier – representing Middle East & North Africa)
- OG (Western Europe EPT representative – two-time TI champions seeking return to form)
- 9Pandas (Eastern Europe EPT qualifier – CIS region hopefuls)
- TSM (North American EPT representative – showcasing regional competitive development)
- Beastcoast (South American EPT qualifier – demonstrating region’s growing prowess)
- Execration (Southeast Asia EPT representative – regional competition veterans)
- Team Aster (Chinese EPT representative – continuing region’s strong competitive tradition)
- TBD (Remaining ESL Pro Tour slot – to be determined through ongoing qualification)
- TBD (Final EPT qualification spot – pending tournament results)
- TBD (Additional EPT representative – based on final standings)
- Xtreme Gaming (EPT standings qualifier – Chinese squad with strong regional performance)
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The play-in qualification process employs a strategic format where eleven teams battle using accumulated ESL Pro Tour ranking points. Competition unfolds across two round-robin groups containing six squads each, with the top four performers automatically advancing to the Group Stage. Remaining participants face single elimination matches against opponents from the alternate group, where all victorious teams secure advancement to subsequent tournament phases.
Riyadh Masters 2023 spans from July 17 through July 30 in Saudi Arabia, featuring twenty elite teams competing for the historic $15 million prize pool. This premier event forms part of the comprehensive Gamers8 festival, which includes competitive tournaments across multiple titles including CS:GO, PUBG, Fortnite, Tekken 8, and various other esports disciplines.
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Action Checklist
- Review team rosters and recent performance metrics before tournament start
- Follow official ESL Pro Tour standings for latest play-in qualification updates
- Analyze group stage matchups to identify potential tournament dark horses
- Set calendar reminders for key play-in elimination matches (July 17-20)
- Compare regional meta strategies to understand team preparation approaches
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