ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 is set to unleash a Dota 2 extravaganza that promises fierce competition, strategic prowess, and a million-dollar spectacle. As teams worldwide recuperate post-The International 12 (TI12), this tournament marks their return to the battlefield, with 12 of the world's elite squads vying for supremacy from December 11th to 17th, 2023.

ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023: All Participating Teams

A total of 12 teams, meticulously picked and divided in two groups, will fight against each other for the ultimate title and a lion’s share in the prize pool. Following are all the teams and group distribution.

Group A:

• Azure Ray (Invited)
• BetBoom Team (Eastern Europe)
• Blacklist International (Southeast Asia)
• Gaimin Gladiators (Invited)
• Team Secret (Western Europe)
• Wawitas Sagazes (South America)

Group B:

• LGD Gaming (Invited)
• Team Liquid (Western Europe)
• 9Pandas (Eastern Europe)
• Team Falcons (MENA)
• Invictus Gaming (China)
• Team Undying (North America)

Format

From December 11th to 13th, the group stage will witness a single round-robin format, featuring two groups of six teams each. Brace for intense Best-of-2 series as teams jostle for position. The top two teams ascend to the upper bracket of the playoffs, while the third and fourth contend in the lower bracket. The bottom duo faces elimination, adding a brutal edge to the proceedings.

As the tension peaks from December 15th to 17th, the double-elimination playoffs unfold with Best-of-3 series dominating the stage. Only the grand final extends to a Best-of-5 showdown, ensuring a nail-biting climax. 

Prize Pool Distribution

A staggering $1,000,000 USD prize pool hangs in the balance, with the distribution as follows:

• 1st: $300,000 (4,800 EPT Points)
• 2nd: $175,000 (3,600 EPT Points)
• 3rd: $120,000 (3,000 EPT Points)
• 4th: $85,000 (2,400 EPT Points)
• 5th-6th: $57,500 (1,680 EPT Points)
• 7th-8th: $47,500 (780 EPT Points)
• 9th-10th: $30,000 (420 EPT Points)
• 11th-12th: $25,000 (210 EPT Points)

Also read: BLAST Premier World Final 2023: Everything You Need To Know

ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 not only sets the stage for Dota 2 supremacy but also offers a glimpse into the evolving landscape of eSports. Teams like Falcons, riding high on recent successes, aim to disrupt the status quo. With roster shake-ups and tactical adaptations, the event is poised to redefine the pecking order in the ESL Pro Tour (EPT).