New DreamLeague Division 2 Aims to Elevate Rising Talent and Establish a Clear Path to the Top
Thursday, July 3, 2025, Cologne: ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, announced details of its renowned ESL Pro Tour (EPT) for Dota 2 circuit, unveiling key dates for the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 seasons along with a more dynamic tournament format that sets the stage for a high-stakes year of competition. These changes are highlighted by the introduction of DreamLeague Division 2, a new Tier 2 league aimed at fostering emerging talent and providing clear pathways for aspiring professional players.
DreamLeague Division 2 will run across EU regions, featuring four tournaments throughout the upcoming season, boasting a combined prize pool of $200,000. The competition offers direct qualification opportunities into higher-tier events within EPT, integrating the Tier 2 scene more closely with the already established ecosystem.
The 2025/2026 EPT will feature three DreamLeague Seasons and an ESL One, with ESL One Spring established as the flagship mid-season event. The new ecosystem emphasizes a “funnel” approach, allowing more teams to participate early in the season, with stakes increasing as the season progresses. Each DreamLeague tournament will offer a unique format to keep the competitive landscape fresh and exciting.
“We are incredibly excited to usher in a new era for Dota 2 esports with the revamped ESL Pro Tour and the launch of DreamLeague Division 2,” said Michael Van Driel, VP Game Ecosystems, CS2 and Dota2. “Our goal is to create a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem that nurtures talent from the grassroots to the pinnacle of professional play. With new tournament formats and increased opportunities, we believe the next season will deliver unparalleled competition and entertainment to our fans, players, and partners from around the world.”
The 2025/2026 EPT season includes:
- DreamLeague Season 27
- December 10 – 21, 2025
- 24 teams
- Swiss format with eight team double-elimination Playoffs
- DreamLeague Season 28
- February 16 – March 1, 2026
- 16 teams
- Double round robin with four team double-elimination Playoffs
- ESL One Europe
- March 22 – 29, 2026
- 16 teams
- Round robin format with 8 team double-elimination Playoffs
- DreamLeague Season 29
- May 10 – 24, 2026
- 12 teams
- Round robin format with eight team double-elimination Playoffs.
The Tier 1 tournament dates for the 2026/2027 EPT season include:
- December 2 – 13, 2026
- January 18 – 31, 2027
- March 28 – April 4, 2027
- May 25 – June 9, 2027
Additional details about the upcoming EPT seasons will be announced at a later date.
Visit the official website for more information about the EPT for Dota 2, and follow ESL Dota 2 on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
For more general information, check out eslfaceitgroup.com or follow ESL FACEIT Group on LinkedIn.
