IMAGE CREDITS: Liquipedia
ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023, an esports tournament organized by ESL, is scheduled to transpire in Malaysia this December, featuring the popular video game Dota 2. This tournament boasts a substantial prize pool of $1 million (~£863,000) and will culminate in its playoffs hosted at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).
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Commencing on December 11th and concluding on December 17th, ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 is poised to showcase the talents of 12 premier Dota 2 teams from across the globe. The event will kick off with a three-day Group Stage, during which two groups, each composed of six teams, will engage in a single round-robin format.
Subsequently, the top six teams emerging from the Group Stage will advance to the live Playoffs taking place from December 15th to 17th, featuring a double elimination format. As of the current update, participating teams have not been officially disclosed.
It is worth noting that ESL DOTA 2 has previously made appearances in Malaysia, with its preceding editions being held in Genting. The most recent installment, ESL One Malaysia 2022, attained significant viewership, peaking at 363,000 viewers and accumulating nearly 9.68 million watch hours, as reported by Esports Charts.
Notably, ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 may coincide with another significant esports competition: the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M5 World Championship. According to the latest reports, the culmination of the MLBB 2023 competitive season will transpire across two distinct locations—Kuala Lumpur (Wildcard stage) and the Philippines (Main stage)—spanning the months of November and December.
Shane Clarke, Director of Game Ecosystems for Dota 2 at ESL FACEIT Group, shared insights into ESL’s decision to return with another iteration of ESL One in Malaysia: “We are aware of the eager anticipation among Dota enthusiasts in South-East Asia for the return of ESL One, spanning over a year. In December, we are set to reintroduce ESL One, promising a grander and more accessible experience than ever before, as we shift the tournament’s location from Genting to Kuala Lumpur for the first time. We are prepared to orchestrate a world-class tournament at MITEC and eagerly anticipate a swift return to the region with more captivating live Dota 2 action and unforgettable experiences.”
This announcement coincides with Valve’s recent decision to discontinue the Dota Pro Circuit, Dota 2’s premier tournament structure, following The International 2023, slated for October.
