After a successful 2022 tournament at Genting Highlands in 2022, ESL One is back in Malaysia for the first-ever ESL One Kuala Lumpur. This exciting Dota 2 event is traditionally the first major LAN tournament following the landmark The International, and this time round it’s the second event of the ESL Pro Tour 2024. There’s also a pretty tasty prize pool up for grabs, totalling a cool $1,000,000!
At the time of writing, the event is still in play so a winning team hasn’t been decided yet, but it’s already proving to be a popular tournament with eSports fans participating in Dota 2 betting with Bitcoin. If you’re reading this in time then you too can join in with the audience participation action for 2023, but if not, swot up on some key stats about the event to prepare for what’s sure to be a major occasion in around twelve months’ time.
What is ESL One Kuala Lumpur?
Taking place at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre from 11th to 17th December 2023, ESL One Kuala Lumpur is a major Dota 2 tournament under the globally renowned ESL One umbrella. Formerly known as Electronic Sports League, ESL One is a tournament series that brings together the best of the best pro gamers from across the world to compete in prestigious events.
Attracting huge audiences, both onsite and over livestream, the series offers players the chance to compete for titles and trophies in games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Battlefield 4. However, its Dota 2 events are often the highlight of the competitive gaming calendar.
ESL One Kuala Lumpur pits together 12 of the best eSports teams in the world (including the top three from The International 2023) following a series of challenging qualifiers. This year, the Malaysian tournament offers a share of a $1 million prize pool (broken down below) and much-coveted EPT fights. Also on the card are direct invites to new ESL events and a spot in July 2024’s showdown tournament.
ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 Prize Pool
The total prize pool for 2023’s tournament is dished out as follows:
- 11th & 12th place: $25,000 and 210 EPT points.
- 9th & 10th place: $30,000 and 420 EPT points.
- 7th & 8th place: $47,500 and 780 EPT points.
- 5th & 6th place: $57,500 and 1680 EPT points.
- 4th place: $85,000 and 2400 EPT points
- 3rd place: $120,000 and 3000 EPT points
- 2nd place: $175,000 and 3600 EPT points
- Grand prize: $300,000 and 4800 EPT points
The Format
ESL One KL takes place over one week in December 2023 and features two teams each from the Eastern and Western Europe qualifiers, three teams from The Invitational, and one team each from China, MENA, Southeast Asia, North America, and South America.
The event kicked off with the group stake, held from 11th to 13th December. All the 12 participating teams have been divided into two groups of six teams, with the matches played in a single round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will then make their way to the playoffs’ upper bracket, with the teams placed in third and fourth advancing to the lower bracket.
The playoffs see the qualifying teams go head-to-head in a double-elimination bracket during the final three days of the tournament (December 15th to 17th). Each match leading up to the Grand Final is contested with a best-of-three format, while the Grand Final itself is a gruelling best-of-five series.
ESL One KL 2023 Teams in Attendance
- Gaimin Gladiators
Entering the competitive Dota 2 scene back in February 2022, GG have dominated the DPC Season this year with three wins at Valve’s Majors.
- LGD Gaming
A premier eSports organization from China, LGD has achieved success across League of Legends, CS:GO, and Dota 2 events.
- Azure Ray
This Chinese team are the new kids on the block, having formed early this year on May 9th, 2023.
- Team Liquid
One of the most prominent eSports teams, Liquid is based in the Netherlands. Originally founded as a StarCraft team, they’ve since gone on to achieve major success playing Dota 2.
- Team Secret
Founded in 2014, Team Secret was established by members of the former Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) Dota 2 team.
- BetBoom Team
Russian eSports team who placed 5-6th at The International 2023
- 9Pandas
The second Russian organization invited to group stages, 9Pandas is now based in Belgrade, Serbia.
- Team Falcons
This pro team from Saudi Arabia also hosts teams in games like VALORANT and PUBG.
- iG
This exciting organization is a partnership between G2 Esports and Invictus Gaming, with a base in China.
- Blacklist International
A pro eSports team from the Philippines, Blacklist is prolific in the mobile eSports scene.
- Tundra Esports
This London-based team swept the board in 2022’s The International, winning the grand prize without losing a single series.
- Wawitas Sagazes
A brand-new team from South America who formed following the conclusion of The International 2023 with the aim of qualifying for ESL One KL.
Looking good!
