BLAST Slam VI: Full List of Invites and Regional Winners

The BLAST Slam VI will kickstart the 2026 Dota 2 professional circuit in Malta on February 3 and we'll take a look at the full list of invites and the regional winners from the qualifiers. While some tournaments go years without major changes, the BLAST Slam series continues to evolve with every edition.

Despite its quick ascension, it still feels like teams seeded directly into the playoffs gain too much of an advantage in BLAST events. This may change with a new addition to the list of adjustments that make BLAST Slam VI unique. The goal is to balance the tournament and give every team a fairer shot.

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BLAST Slam VI Invites

Starting from the beginning, BLAST Slam VI features a lineup of twelve teams, with nine receiving direct invites. These invites are based on performance and include the Top 4 teams from BLAST Slam IV, the Top 4 from BLAST Slam V and one regional invite for the Americas.

• Tundra Esports (Top 4 Slam IV)
• Team Falcons (Top 4 Slam IV)
• MOUZ (Top 4 Slam IV)
• Heroic (Top 4 Slam IV)
• Team Yandex (Top 4 Slam V)
• Team Liquid (Direct Invite)
• OG (Direct Invite)
• Team Spirit (Direct Invite)
• GamerLegion (Americas Invite)

Since Tundra Esports, Team Falcons and MOUZ placed in the Top 4 at both BLAST Slam IV and V, three additional slots became available. BLAST addressed this by inviting Team Liquid, OG and Team Spirit to compete at BLAST Slam VI in Malta while also adding GamerLegion as the invite for the Americas.

[embed]https://x.com/BLASTDota/status/2013198777310429245[/embed]

According to BLAST, these teams have consistently delivered strong performances over the past few months and are expected to make a statement in Malta. 

While OG and Team Spirit were logical choices (placed 5th in Slam IV and V), it is worth noting that Team Liquid did not participate in BLAST Slam V and only placed 9th at BLAST Slam IV.

BLAST Slam VI Regional Winners

Alongside the invited teams, three regional winners complete the list of teams qualified for Dota 2 BLAST Slam VI in Malta. These teams earned their spots through qualifiers in China, Europe and Southeast Asia:

• Natus Vincere (Europe Qualifier)
• REKONIX (SEA Qualifier)
• Xtreme Gaming (China Qualifier)

Among these teams, REKONIX stands out. The organization was formed in July 2025 after acquiring most of Tech Free Gaming's roster. Based in Indonesia, REKONIX secured the SEA slot by defeating established teams such as Execration and Team Nemesis during the RES Unchained 3 qualifiers.

Natus Vincere also impressed during the European qualifiers. They secured their spot with a 2–1 victory over PARIVISION after turning the series around.

Meanwhile, Xtreme Gaming proved once again that they remain China’s strongest contender. They defeated the recently reborn Vici Gaming 2–1, with the final map lasting over an hour and a half.

Changing the Organization Again

As exciting as this lineup is for Dota 2 fans, BLAST Slam VI also introduces another organizational change. All playoff matches will now be played as best-of-five series.

This directly impacts teams seeded into the semifinals and slightly shifts the competitive landscape. This adjustment is yet another attempt to address the predictability of previous BLAST tournaments.

Since BLAST Slam I, teams seeded directly into the semifinals have gone on to win the Grand Finals. This format has clearly benefited Tundra Esports, the tournament’s four-time champions, but it has also been seen as imbalanced.

To put Tundra’s dominance into perspective, dyrachyo was still on the roster when they won their first BLAST Slam title.

A full year later, BLAST is still experimenting with the semifinal seeding format. However, I feel like it's difficult (if not impossible) to see how true balance can be achieved while keeping this structure intact.

Closing Thoughts

BLAST Slam VI brings together an outstanding lineup of teams aiming to end Tundra Esports’ year-long reign and claim their share of the $1 million prize pool.

While some organizational tweaks have been introduced, they still feel too mild to solve the ongoing issue of seeded teams consistently winning the Grand Finals.

For now, all eyes turn to February as we wait to see whether these changes will have any real impact. If you want updates on meta shifts, hero trends, Dota 2 guides and major tournaments, be sure to check out the official Strafe website!

Featured Image Source: BLAST