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ESL announces Berlin Major dates, location, prize pool, more

The second Dota 2 Major of the year, ESL One Berlin, has officially been announced. Yesterday, the tournament’s promoter released a trailer with all the essential information, including the dates, the venue and ticket pricing.

ESL also confirmed that teams that do well at ESL One Berlin would not only receive a share of the $500,000 prize pool, but they will also receive DPC points.

The teams with the most DPC points at the end of the regular season will automatically qualify for The International 12, an annual Dota 2 world championship with millions of dollars on the line.

Balanar, the fearsome Night Stalker, has been chosen as ESL’s official mascot for the Berlin Major. The ESL website dubs Night Stalker “the anti-hero of ESL One Berlin” — the monster of countless bedtime stories that has invited all Dota 2 enthusiasts to experience the game like never before.

Berlin Major details

The ESL One Berlin Major will be held between April 26 and May 7, 2023. On April 26, the Group Stage begins, with the teams competing in a studio setting.

The tournament’s championship weekend, which will be held from May 5 to 7, is set for the final three days — when fans can watch the action unfold in person.

The Velodrom, located in Berlin, will host the Major. The arena is one of the largest in Berlin, with a capacity of up to 12,000.

On February 8, at 3:00 p.m. CET or 9:00 p.m. EST, ESL will release the tickets to the general public. Three ticket bundles are available for the major, each with its benefits. If fans buy the Major Premium 3-Day Ticket before February 12, they can save €40, or about $42, off the regular price of €239, or approximately $256.

This premium ticket grants entry to the event and premium privileges, including the best seats, an exclusive badge and a premium Goodie Bag.

For €135, or $145, fans can get front-row and back-row infield tickets right next to the action and a Plus Goodie Bag. Three-day tickets, which grant entry to the stands for three days at only €49, or about $52, are the least expensive option.

Berlin Major stages

ESL also confirmed that the tournament would play the preliminary rounds behind closed doors while the elimination rounds would be broadcast live.

ESL FACEIT Group director of game ecosystems Shane Clarke said the team was ecstatic to host “the best Dota 2 teams” in the world in Berlin, ensuring the tournament would be an exceptional Major.

Clarke also mentioned that fans from Europe and beyond greatly supported the ESL One Stockholm Major last year.

He said they couldn’t wait for “the top players” to return to the live stage at the Velodrom and experience the incredible atmosphere.

The Dota Pro Circuit Regional Leagues worldwide will qualify 18 teams for the championship from all corners of the globe.

Western Europe and China receive four seeds. Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe get three seeds each. North America and South America have two seeds each.

When they arrive in Berlin, they will be divided into two groups of nine and compete in a best-of-two round-robin format.

The top six teams from each group will proceed to the double-elimination bracket on May 5 and 7 in front of a live audience at the Velodrom.

ESL will be streaming the match live on Twitch and YouTube. It has been confirmed that 1,440p YouTube broadcasts will be made available.