The stage is set for DreamLeague Season 27, marking the dawn of a new Dota 2 competitive year.
The highly anticipated DreamLeague Season 27 is upon us, with tournament organizer ESL FACEIT officially unveiling the prestigious list of 11 invited teams. This event isn`t just another tournament; it`s the inaugural major battleground for the ESL Pro Tour (EPT) 2025/2026 season, setting the tone for what promises to be a year of intense Dota 2 action.
For fans and analysts alike, the revelation of invited teams is a moment of both excitement and strategic anticipation. These are the titans, the dark horses, and the established powerhouses who will vie for supremacy, EPT points, and a hefty share of the prize pool. While eight teams have already navigated the treacherous regional qualifiers, and five more are yet to emerge from Division 2 Stage 1, the invited list provides a clear glimpse into the likely front-runners.
The Elite Eleven: A Gathering of Champions
The roster of invited teams reads like a who`s who of current Dota 2 prowess. Each name carries weight, a history of clutch plays, and a reputation earned in the cutthroat world of professional esports. Here’s who received a direct ticket to the DreamLeague arena:
- Aurora Gaming
- BetBoom Team
- Heroic
- Nigma Galaxy
- PARAVISION
- Flipster Talon
- Team Falcons
- Team Liquid
- Team Spirit
- Tundra Esports
- Xtreme Gaming
It`s a formidable assembly, featuring a blend of consistent performers and teams known for their explosive potential. The stage is truly set for some high-stakes competition.
Titans Collide: Early Contenders and Unfinished Business
Among the invited, certain names inevitably stand out, carrying the heavy mantle of recent victories and high expectations. Leading the charge are Team Falcons, fresh off their triumphant win at The International 2025, where they famously edged out Xtreme Gaming in a thrilling 3-2 Grand Finals. One might say they`ve set the bar rather high for themselves — the pressure to maintain such a peak is a unique beast.
Then there`s PARAVISION, no stranger to DreamLeague glory, having clinched Season 26 by dismantling BetBoom Team with a decisive 3-0 sweep. Their 2024/2025 season was nothing short of stellar, boasting an ESL One Raleigh 2025 victory and a third-place finish at The International 2025. They seem to have a particular affinity for DreamLeague, perhaps viewing it as their personal proving ground. It will be interesting to see if they can defend their title against an even hungrier field.
The narrative isn`t just about the champions, however. Teams like BetBoom Team, who fell short against PARAVISION, will undoubtedly be looking for redemption. And the inclusion of other storied organizations promises a depth of competition that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
«The beauty of Dota 2 esports lies not just in the high-skill gameplay, but in the intricate storylines that unfold. DreamLeague Season 27 promises a fresh chapter, with new rivalries to ignite and old scores to settle. It`s not just about who wins, but how they win, and who they overcome to get there.»
The Road Ahead: Format, Prizes, and EPT Points
DreamLeague Season 27 will unfold online from December 10th to 21st, 2025. A total of 24 elite Dota 2 teams will battle for a monumental prize pool: $1 million, an additional $250,000 in club rewards, and the all-important 19,500 EPT Points.
These EPT Points are the currency of competitive success within the ESL Pro Tour ecosystem. A strong performance here directly influences a team`s standing on the EPT leaderboards, which, in turn, dictates invites to future high-profile events like subsequent DreamLeague seasons and ESL One tournaments. Essentially, every victory, every placement, contributes to a team`s long-term trajectory in the professional scene.
The tournament format is designed to test every aspect of a team`s strategy and resilience:
- A Swiss system Group Stage will kick things off, featuring best-of-three (Bo3) matches, ensuring every team has multiple opportunities to prove their worth.
- The event then transitions into a brutal double-elimination bracket Playoffs, where every series carries immense weight.
- Finally, the ultimate clash will be decided in a thrilling Best-of-Five (Bo5) Grand Final, a true test of endurance and tactical depth.
While a detailed schedule is still under wraps, fans can rest assured that every match will be broadcast live across ESL’s official Dota 2 Twitch and YouTube channels, ensuring no moment of the action is missed.
A New Dawn for Dota 2 Esports
DreamLeague Season 27 isn`t merely the first event of the 2025/2026 season; it represents the dawn of a revamped competitive format. This tournament lays the groundwork for an entire year of high-stakes Dota 2. Following this initial skirmish, the esports world will look forward to Season 28 and the highly anticipated ESL One Birmingham, ensuring a continuous stream of top-tier professional play.
As the invited teams prepare to unleash their strategies and display their unparalleled skill, the Dota 2 community stands ready. This season opener promises to be a spectacle of ambition, precision, and the relentless pursuit of esports glory. The question remains: which team will seize the momentum and stamp their authority on the new competitive year?
Elton Marrow