The ESL FACEIT Group announced the first season of the ESL Pro Tour for Dota 2 will begin with the start of the $1 million DreamLeague Season 19 on April 9.
The inaugural ESL Pro Tour will be comprised of two DreamLeague seasons, with the top teams qualifying for the $15 million Riyadh Masters at Gamers8.
DreamLeague Season 19 will run from April 9-23, with Season 20 scheduled for June 7-25. Each season will feature 16 of the top teams who have qualified via the EPT Ranking System competing over two weeks for a $1 million prize pool.
Teams will be competing remotely, with the DreamLeague seasons produced from EFG’s studios in Stockholm. The Season 19 champion will earn a direct spot in the Group Stage of the Riyadh Masters, while both the winner and runner-up teams in Season 20 will automatically advance to the Group Stage.
The championship will take place live in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 17-30.
The three teams with automatic spots will be joined by 17 additional teams that will be determined by the highest average finishes across both DreamLeague Seasons.
“Over the past couple of years, we’ve already seen the success of the ESL Pro Tour and the structure it brings to a game’s esports ecosystem,” said Shane Clarke, Director Game Ecosystems for Dota 2 at EFG. “Now, we are thrilled to expand it into the wonderful world of Dota 2 and thereby give players, fans, and partners — both existing and new — the opportunity to enjoy the best of the best that Dota 2 esports offers.
“Moreover, with the valuable Riyadh Masters competition functioning as the EPT Championship event, the circuit promises lots of electrifying moments and tier 1 action.”
–Field Level Media