In 2024, the competitive Dota 2 landscape has undergone a significant shift with the discontinuation of the traditional Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) framework by Valve. The absence of Dota 2 Majors and DPC events has paved the way for a more diverse and exciting season of Dota 2 tournaments.
Departure from the Dota Pro Circuit
The DPC, which was once the cornerstone of Dota 2 esports, structured the competitive year into division leagues culminating in the Dota 2 Majors. Teams competed for top placements in their divisions to earn both monetary rewards and crucial DPC points for securing invites to The International Championship.
However, this system revolved around Valve events, discouraging third-party tournament organizers from hosting their own events as invited teams prioritized DPC competitions.
The International Championship
Despite the dissolution of the DPC, Valve has continued its commitment to hosting The International (TI), the pinnacle event in the Dota 2 calendar.
Valve recently announced that TI13 will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark in September 2024, with criteria for team invitations likely considering performances across various third-party tournaments.
Third-party Dota 2 Tournaments in 2024
BetBoom Dacha
The BetBoom Dacha series, organized by FISSURE and BetBoom, has announced two major tournaments for 2024 with million-dollar prize pools and an innovative focus on 1v1 mode tournaments.
Games of the Future
Despite controversy, Games of the Future offers a $1 million prize pool, providing financial sustainability for teams often overlooked in esports prize winnings.
ESL Pro Tour
The ESL Pro Tour, featuring events like ESL One Birmingham 2024 and the Riyadh Masters series, offers substantial prize pools and is viewed as a successor to the DPC.
PGL Dota 2 Series
The PGL Dota 2 Series features a bold long-term plan with eight high-stakes tournaments and a million-dollar prize pool each, starting with the PGL Wallachia Season 1 in May 2024.
ESB x Qatar Esports Federation
A collaboration between ESB and the Qatar Esports Federation will host three major LAN tournaments in 2024, showcasing the global appeal of Dota 2 competition.
What’s Next for Dota 2 Tournaments in 2024?
The landscape of Dota 2 tournaments in 2024 is characterized by generous prize pools and a growing presence in new regions, signaling a promising future for Dota 2 esports. While fans eagerly anticipate The International 2024, it’s clear that the Dota 2 community is in for an exciting year of competition and innovation.
