Dota 2 Pros Battle for $7 Million: How Valve’s Tournament Could Impact Esports World Cup 2025

From July 8 to 19, Riyadh will serve as the host city for the highly anticipated Esports World Cup 2025, regarded as one of the two premier Dota 2 tournaments this season. With a substantial prize pool of $3 million, the top-performing teams have even more at stake, as they will accumulate points that contribute to the overall standings of the 2025 Club Championship, which boasts an eye-popping $27 million in total rewards.

In this article, we will delve into the question of whether the favorites in Dota 2 are positioned to secure a victory at the Club World Championship. Additionally, we will analyze how significant each team’s achievements are in the larger framework of the EWC standings, providing insights into the competitive landscape of this thrilling tournament.

Club Championship: What is this tournament?

The second coming of the Esports World Cup is coming — and this time the show promises to be many times bigger. Forget about single disciplines: viewers will enjoy a real eSports marathon — 25 of the brightest tournaments in the most popular (and not only) games, stretched out over seven weeks, with the final chord in August.

The organizers approached the matter on a grand scale — not just events, but an entire ecosystem of competitions. In order to stimulate the interest of teams and at the same time support both mainstream and niche disciplines, a universal rating system was developed. At stake is an impressive $27 million! It’s simple: clubs earn points for the top 8 places in each of the tournaments, and at the end of the entire season, an absolute champion will be determined — by the total number of points.

Special attention — to universal teams. If an organization is able to field strong teams in several disciplines at once, its chances of winning the race for the main prize (which is, no more, no less than, $7 million) increase rapidly. However, even small teams will not remain in the shadows: winning one tournament can bring both financial bonuses and serious recognition.

This inclusive and fair model makes every game significant, every match important. This is what creates that very lively, intense atmosphere of a real sports festival, where there are no passing events, and every performance can become a turning point.

Dota 2 at the EWC Club Championship

While Valve’s MOBA is undeniably more popular than many other games showcased at the Riyadh festival, it’s important to note that all 24 disciplines are treated equally in the overall standings. Achieving victory in the Esports World Cup 2025 for Dota 2 will yield the same number of points as winning titles in Teamfight Tactics or CrossFire. This situation puts Dota 2 at a distinct disadvantage. In the context of the Club Championship, organizations find it far more beneficial to recruit several cost-effective teams in less popular titles rather than maintain a high-priced roster in Dota. Players competing in solo disciplines, such as fighting games, StarCraft II, and chess, also face lower expenses compared to a full team setup.

In Dota 2 specifically, the costs and challenges of competing at the top level are significantly higher due to several factors:

• Five-player rosters plus support staff: Including coach, analyst, and often team manager.
• High salary demands: Tier-1 players, especially those with Major or The International experience, command substantial contracts.
• Intensive bootcamping: Success in Dota 2 often requires long training periods, often in centralized locations, raising travel and accommodation expenses.
• Unpredictable meta shifts: Frequent patch updates mean teams must constantly adapt strategies, sometimes overhauling entire hero pools.
• High volatility in performance: Unlike some solo titles, a single underperformance from one player can collapse the whole team’s synergy.

On the flip side, for the frontrunners who are eyeing the Dota title, a victory can represent much more than just another trophy for their cabinet. Take, for instance, the Gaimin Gladiators, who triumphed at the Riyadh Masters 2024. They finished seventh in the overall standings and pocketed an impressive $800,000, despite accumulating only 280 points from all other games combined. The team that clinches first place at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Dota 2 will earn a substantial 1,000 points in the Club Championship, which is more than enough to secure a position in the top 20 of the overall rankings. This raises an intriguing question: which organizations will be positioned to leverage such a significant boost early in the EWC? Their strategies could shape the competitive landscape for the entire season.

No opportunity for Club Championship

The Electronic World Championship (EWC) is ready to surprise not only with top teams, but also with smaller teams — clubs, communities, and even independent teams. The upcoming Dota 2 tournament will feature four teams that are not represented in any other discipline of the championship:

• PARIVISION
• Yandex Team
• Tundra Esports
• Xtreme Gaming

But there is an important nuance: according to the rules of the club standings, only those who have earned points in at least two disciplines can claim a part of the prize fund. For organizations, this is already an insurmountable obstacle — it is too late to assemble new teams, this is directly stated in the EWC regulations.

It is interesting that in 2024, ten tournaments were won by teams focused on only one discipline. Although they earned more points than Weibo Gaming (38th place, 335 points), they were not included in the overall ranking. But Weibo, having played in three different games and three times made it into the top 8, secured a place in the top 16 and received legitimate prize money.

Thus, even if PARIVISION or Tundra Esports win their tournament, this will have a negative rather than a positive impact on the position of other favorites – and they themselves will not receive any bonuses. This subtlety makes the intrigue of the championship especially intense: there is more to each match than just a victory.

Each meeting is now like a separate chapter of a big story. Independent teams can surprise more than it seems at first glance. Their games will be watched not only by fans, but also by analysts – after all, there is always room for surprise in eSports. And sometimes it is these unexpected turns that make a tournament truly unforgettable.

Dark Horses

Next are the smaller organizations that could, in theory, vie for the title of the best club in the world, along with a substantial prize of $7,000,000. However, these multi-gaming teams are unlikely to accumulate many points in Dota 2, and competing in other games will also prove quite challenging for them.

At the EWC tournament, a mere 50 points can be earned for finishing in 8th place, while a top-6 finish yields 150 points. To reach a total of at least 400–500 points and contend for the Club Championship prizes, teams must perform admirably in 3–4 matches or secure top 3 or 4 finishes twice. Right now, this seems almost unattainable, presenting a daunting challenge for many.

1. Execration is projected to be one of the main underdogs in both Dota 2 and the EWC overall. Aside from their Dota 2 roster led by Arthur, the club only supports a team in CrossFire, which might not even qualify for Riyadh. Currently, they sit in 5th place in the regional league, and only the top 2 teams will advance to the EWC. It’s possible that within a week, the Filipinos could drop to a lower tier, making their journey even more difficult.
2. HEROIC features two teams—one for Dota 2 and another for CS2 (ranked 19th in the recent major and 18th in the HLTV rankings). Their chances of breaking into the top 4 in either game are quite slim, so any success at the Club Championship would be a remarkable feat for this modest organization based in Oslo. The expectations for them are low, but surprises can always happen in competitive gaming.
3. Talon Esports is a robust multi-gaming organization with teams in nine EWC disciplines. However, only their Dota 2 squad has made it to the tournament so far, and they might only see representation in Rainbow Six and fighting games. Even if this occurs, the club members are likely to remain underdogs with limited opportunities to earn points, making their path to success quite challenging.
4. Shopify Rebellion will compete not just in Dota 2 but also in Apex Legends (ranked 5th at the last World Championship) and StarCraft 2 (where Lambo qualified for the EWC through the qualifiers). Teams in Rainbow Six and Rocket League could also qualify, but their chances of reaching the podium are quite low. The organization has high hopes but must overcome significant obstacles to achieve their goals.

Rising Prize Contenders

Next, we have clubs that boast at least two teams striving for a top 8 finish in the Esports World Cup. Achieving victory in one discipline, paired with a commendable performance in another, or even having two to three teams place between 5th and 6th could be sufficient to earn valuable points in the overall club standings.

In theory, these organizations could ascend even higher, potentially breaking into the top 10 if they manage to secure two tournament victories. However, they still won’t be in contention for the championship title in the 2025 Club Championship, even if they kick off the EWC with a solid win in Dota 2.

1. Let’s start with BetBoom Team. This Russian organization fields teams in Dota 2 and PUBG, both of which are recognized as major contenders in their respective scenes. Their PUBG squad recently triumphed in the latest PUBG Global Series, showcasing their skill and strategy, and they secured an impressive 4th place in the previous tournament. If they can maintain their momentum and form through August, the Bestoloch team could potentially earn even more points than Pure and his crew, making a significant impact in the overall standings.
2. Moving on to Team Spirit, they are not only focusing on their Dota 2 roster but also placing hopes on their Counter-Strike 2 team, which is currently ranked in the top 3 on HLTV. Additionally, their Mobile Legends squad has proven its mettle by finishing fourth in the last two world championships. Furthermore, they can count on Vladislav Artemyev in chess—a player who, while he may not compete at the same level as Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi, possesses the ability to break into the top 8 and contribute crucial points to the team’s overall score.
3. A similar situation unfolds for Aurora Gaming. This club plans to bring their Turkish teams in CS2, currently ranked 5th on HLTV, and MLBB, which has emerged as the champion of the regional league. However, their main hope lies in chess, where Ian Nepomniachtchi is viewed as a strong contender for victory or at least a top 3 finish. If he achieves this, the other teams within the organization will only need to secure podium finishes to significantly enhance their overall point totals.
4. Finally, we look at Gaimin Gladiators, who have already secured four spots for the EWC, and this number could potentially rise to eight as they continue to perform well. Defending their title in Dota 2 will undoubtedly be challenging, but the club also has promising opportunities in Apex Legends, Tekken 8, and the women’s MLBB tournament. Additionally, they can earn points through their squads competing in Rainbow Six, CrossFire, and various fighting games, adding to their diverse portfolio of competitive gaming.

Esports World Cup Favorites

The 2025 Dota 2 Club Championship is not just another tournament. It is a stage where legends, ambitions, and nerves stretched to the limit converge. Here, every game can become history, and every team can become a hero. And this year, we are expecting four powerful teams capable of turning the scoreboard upside down and making the audience applaud standing.

1. Let’s start, of course, with Natus Vincere – the very same “born to win”. Passions always boil around them, and this year is no exception. NAVI are going to put up 8 to 12 teams at EWC – just think about it! It’s like an army charged with victory, with every unit ready to show class. Of course, their path in Dota 2 is not easy – the competition is fierce, and the top 8 can slip away. But NAVI is more than just one game. They have an ironclad Counter-Strike roster, cool chess players, fighting MLBB teams and fighters who are not used to giving up. Even if there is no gold this time, they will definitely bring home at least one medal, because they have not only experience, but also a thirst to prove that they are still in the game.
2. But Team Liquid… These guys are on the rise now. 11 tournaments under their belt, plus a chance to qualify for six more – that’s ambitious, to say the least. But the main thing is not just participation. It’s a fight for titles. In StarCraft II, they have the current EWC champion – a cool head, a steel hand, perfect timing. In chess, it’s just space: the possible participation of Magnus Carlsen simply blows the mind. In Dota 2 and MLBB, Liquid is betting on well-coordinated and confident rosters, and in Apex Legends, TFT and other disciplines, their youngsters look hungry for victories.
3. Virtus.pro has expanded its roster to a total of 13 teams, with the potential to grow to 19 by July for the upcoming EWC. However, their standings in Dota 2 and various other titles are not as strong as those of competitors like Liquid and MENA Falcons. Right now, only their CoD: Warzone team appears to have a real chance at championship success, while their lineup in the racing simulator Rennsport seems unlikely to catch up with the current leaders. Last time, having eight teams in the mix prevented VP from cracking the top 20; thankfully, their chances this time around are looking better. Still, the fight for the top position in the Club Championship will present a significant challenge.

If they win 3-4 tournaments – and there are good chances of that happening – Liquid could very well take home the main trophy, proving that a broad specialization and a powerful team system can be stronger than a narrow bet on one star five.

On the flip side, the main challenger for the Club Championship title is Team Falcons. The “Falcons” are gearing up to showcase at least 17 teams at the Esports World Cup 2025, with several of them eyeing trophies across an impressive range of games. They are serious contenders in Dota 2, CS2, Apex Legends, chess, CoD: Warzone, Free Fire, TFT, PUBG, and CrossFire. Last year, the club won the overall standings by a considerable margin, and it seems very likely that they could replicate this success in 2025. Their depth in talent and strategy gives them a distinct advantage over many other clubs.

In 2024, Team Falcons decisively won the Club Championship at the EWC, while only Natus Vincere from Eastern Europe managed to make it into the top 16. This year, the competition for the grand prize of $7 million is set to be even more electrifying, with our organizations showing significantly better chances of success. Fans and analysts alike will find it much more engaging to follow the overall standings, as the intensity of the matches promises to deliver thrilling moments and unexpected twists.