Dota 2 Esports World Cup 2025: Teams, Format, Prize Pool & How to Watch
- India Today Gaming
- July 11, 2025 (UPDATED: July 11, 2025 15:22 IST)
The biggest Dota 2 showdown of the year is here! See which 16 teams are competing, how the format works, and how to watch every match live.
The Dota 2 Esports World Cup 2025 has arrived with electric moments of competition taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As the grand finale of the ESL Pro Tour, this event features a prize pool of $3 million and points towards the EWC Club Championship. 16 of the best teams in the world are competing for the title of world champions.
Tournament Format
The tournament will run from July 7-19 and will consist of a Group Stage in which the 16 teams will be separated into four groups of four teams. Each of these groups will follow a round-robin with the teams playing one another in the group, and based on their results:
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Group winners proceed directly to the Playoffs.
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Runners-up move to the second round of the Elimination Phase.
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Third and fourth-place teams begin from the first round of the Elimination Phase.
The Elimination Phase is structured in a Gauntlet-style bracket, meaning that the teams will need to win each consecutive match before they can advance. In the end, four of the top teams from this phase will continue toward an eight-team, single-elimination Playoff bracket alongside the group winners. All matches are in a best-of-three format except for the Grand Final (the best-of-five) and third-place portion.
Competing Teams & Prize Pool Breakdown
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Group A: NAVI, Talon Esports, Team Spirit, Xtreme Gaming
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Group B: BetBoom Team, Execration, Gaimin Gladiators, Team Falcons
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Group C: Aurora Gaming, Team Yandex, Tundra Esports, Virtus.pro
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Group D: HEROIC, PARIVISION, Shopify Rebellion, Team Liquid
All eyes are on Gaimin Gladiators, the reigning Riyadh Masters champions, as well as Tundra Esports, who have shown remarkable form throughout the 2025 season.
The tournament boasts an impressive $3 million (~£2.2 million) prize pool. The winning team will take home $1 million, while the runner-up earns $500,000. The third and fourth-placed teams will receive $300,000 and $200,000, respectively. Teams finishing in fifth to eighth place will secure $125,000 each, those ranked ninth to twelfth will earn $75,000, and the remaining four teams will collect $50,000 each.
How to Watch
Fans can catch every thrilling moment of the Dota 2 Esports World Cup 2025 live through EWC’s official channels on Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, Weibo, and Bilibili. For those looking to get even more involved, an integrated fantasy tournament adds an extra layer of excitement, offering fans the chance to win exclusive rewards by following their favourite teams and players.
With world-class rosters, intense matchups, and a format that keeps everyone on edge, this year’s tournament is more than just another competition.
Written By- Kazi Mohasin Zaman, India Today Gaming