EWC 2025 is the second edition of the Esports World Cup, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The tournament runs from July 8 to July 19, 2025, located at Boulevard Riyadh City, and features a massive US$3 million prize pool (around IDR 48 billion) specifically for the DOTA 2 category. A total of 16 of the best DOTA 2 teams from around the world are participating.

Participating DOTA 2 Teams – EWC 2025

The tournament features 16 teams, consisting of:

• 8 Direct Invites (based on the ESL Pro Tour Leaderboard):

  • Gaimin Gladiators (defending champion), PARIVISION, BetBoom Team, Team Spirit, Team Falcons, Team Liquid, Tundra Esports, Talon Esports, Aurora Gaming

• 8 Regional Qualifier Winners:

  • Xtreme Gaming (Asia), Natus Vincere (WEU), Team Yandex (EEU), Virtus.pro (MEA), Execration (SEA), Shopify Rebellion (NA), HEROIC (SA)

Group Distribution:

• Group A: Natus Vincere, Talon Esports, Team Spirit, Xtreme Gaming

• Group B: BetBoom Team, Execration, Gaimin Gladiators, Team Falcons

• Group C: Aurora Gaming, Team Yandex, Tundra Esports, Virtus.pro

• Group D: PARIVISION, Team Liquid, Shopify Rebellion, HEROIC

Schedule & Tournament Format

Phase 1 – Group Stage (July 8–11)

• 16 teams divided into 4 groups (A–D), each with 4 teams

• Double round-robin format, Best-of-2 (BO2) matches

• Group winners advance directly to the Playoffs (Phase 3)

• Group runners-up proceed to Phase 2 – Elimination Round 2

• 3rd and 4th place teams move to Phase 2 – Elimination Round 1

Phase 2 – Elimination Phase (July 12–13)

• Gauntlet format:

  • Round 1: 3rd place vs 4th place

  • Round 2: Winner vs 2nd place

• All matches are Best-of-3 (BO3)

• Top 4 teams from this phase advance to the Playoffs

Phase 3 – Playoffs (July 16–19)

• 8 teams compete in single-elimination bracket

• All rounds are BO3, except for the Grand Final (BO5)

• There will also be a third-place match

A Major Tournament on the 2025 DOTA 2 Calendar

The DOTA 2 EWC 2025 is predicted to be one of the most prestigious tournaments on next year’s competitive DOTA 2 calendar. As part of the larger Esports World Cup initiative, this tournament brings together top-tier teams from around the world, competing not only for the massive prize pool but also for pride and prestige.

It’s also seen as a key lead-up event to The International 2025, which will be held in Germany in September 2025. The last DOTA 2 major, PGL Wallachia Season 5, was won by BetBoom Team, but this time they will face strong competition from teams like Gaimin Gladiators, Team Liquid, and Team Spirit.

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