The UK is buzzing with excitement as it prepares for the return of top-tier DOTA 2 action at ESL One Birmingham 2024. This event, happening from April 22 to April 28, is the first major DOTA 2 tournaments in the UK since 2019. Twelve (12) elite teams from around the world are gearing up to compete for a $1 million prize pool.
The Format
The tournament follows the same structure as its predecessor, ESL One Kuala Lumpur. It starts with a Group Stage from April 22 to April 24, where two groups of six teams each will compete in a round-robin format. Each match consists of two games. The top two teams from each group will move on to the Upper Bracket, while the 3rd and 4th place teams will go to the Lower Bracket. The Playoffs, happening from April 26 to April 28, will use a double-elimination bracket. All matches will be best-of-three, except for the Grand Final, which will be a best-of-five.
| Stage | Date | Format | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | April 22 – 24 | Round-robin (2 games per match) | 30 (15*) |
| Playoffs | April 26 – 28 | Double-elimination (All BO3, except GF) | TBD |
| Grand Final | April 28 | Best-of-five | 1 |
Note: In the Group Stage, there are 30 matches, with each match consisting of 2 games, so effectively there are 15 matches. The number of matches for the Playoffs is yet to be determined (TBD). The Grand Final will be a best-of-five match.
The Contenders
Four teams – Gaimin Gladiators, BetBoom Team, Xtreme Gaming, and Team Liquid – received direct invitations based on their EPT Leaderboard standings. The other eight slots went to teams that won regional qualifiers, showing the global popularity of the DOTA 2 community. However, 1win, who was supposed to represent Western Europe, had to pull out due to visa issues.
Group Dynamics
The teams are divided into two groups for the initial stage:
- Group A: BetBoom Team, G2.iG, Shopify Rebellion, Talon Esports, Team Falcons, Team Liquid
- Group B: Gaimin Gladiators, HEROIC, OG, Team Spirit, Tundra Esports, Xtreme Gaming
Tiebreaker
If there are ties, the tournament has a straightforward tiebreaker protocol. For ties that affect significant positions, players will compete in a best-of-three or a round-robin best-of-one. If needed, there might be 1v1 tiebreakers. For less important ties, the Neustadtl score and head-to-head records will determine the outcome.
Prize and Points
The prize distribution and EPT points are as follows:
| Position | Prize Money | EPT Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $300,000 | 6,400 |
| 2nd | $175,000 | 4,800 |
| 3rd | $120,000 | 4,000 |
| 4th | $85,000 | 3,200 |
| 5th – 6th | $57,500 | 2,240 |
| 7th – 8th | $47,500 | 1,040 |
| 9th – 10th | $30,000 | 560 |
| 11th – 12th | $25,000 | 280 |
Where to Watch
You can watch the ESL One Birmingham 2024 in the following ways:
- Live at the Resorts World Arena: The playoffs and the final three days of the event will be played in front of a live audience at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham.
- Online Streaming: The competition will be streamed live on the following platforms:
