ESL Announces Pro Tour Division 2!

The professional Dota 2 scene is always evolving, and ESL has been spearheading that motion over the past couple of years. Now, they’ve announced a big revamp of the ESL Pro Tour and the creation of a Second Division aimed at Tier 2 teams.

Let’s dig deeper into the announcement they made on their official blog and discuss what these changes could mean. Despite an understandable lack of detail on some fronts, this seems like another positive step for the Dota 2 pro community.

ESL is a major part of the Dota 2 pro circuit and refuses to stop reinventing itself — and that’s a good thing. — Credit: ESL

ESL and the Renewed Pro Tour

First, ESL announced that the next season will feature four tournaments with different formats to shake things up. This is a change that makes the calendar more dynamic and addresses growing concerns about repetitive structures in past events.

"The very first DreamLeague that we ran was in response to the community wanting top matches between inter-regional teams, and with this expansion, we’re proud to continue that work in connecting the best teams in the world for your entertainment."

Now, instead of alternating between ESL One and DreamLeague, the EPT will feature three DreamLeagues and a major ESL One event in the spring. According to ESL, the primary goal is to ensure rising stars can leave their mark on the competitive circuit.

Tournament Formats for the 2025–2026 Season

DreamLeague Season 27

Kicking off the season, DreamLeague Season 27 will feature an impressive 24 teams, a Swiss stage, and double-elimination playoffs with back-to-back best-of-three matches.

Now we’ll see the usual post-International chaos turned into fuel for a great event. — Credit: ESL

This format is designed to capitalize on the roster shuffles and unpredictable metagame changes that usually follow The International. ESL is turning that volatility into a strength.

DreamLeague Season 28

Next up is DreamLeague Season 28, which keeps the current "classic format" — two weeks long, round-robin group stages, and double-elimination playoffs.

This isn’t a bad format, just a little predictable if repeated too often. Good call by ESL. — Credit: ESL

This will likely favor teams coming into form at the end of the first quarter. Historically, big patches from Valve around this time have led to chaotic play — so some stability is welcome.

ESL One Europe

The ESL One Spring event will make its return to Europe, with an expanded field of 16 teams. The tournament will have two round-robin groups, leading into a double-elimination playoff bracket.

Fans are dreaming of an ESL One Birmingham again. To be fair, you do owe them that, ESL. — Credit: ESL

This will be the apex of the new ESL Pro Tour Season so we should expect a lot in terms of production value. Since this season swapped the former ESL One Birmingham for the ESL One Raleigh, this would be a nice way for the ESL to make amends with the UK fans.

DreamLeague Season 29

Finally, DreamLeague Season 29 will wrap up the season with 12 teams in a single group stage, battling for eight playoff spots. The announcement didn’t mention best-of-one matches, so we can assume it will use best-of-threes and a traditional best-of-five Grand Final.

Around this time next year, we’ll have a solid idea of The International 2026 metagame. — Credit: ESL

This format seems a bit closer to the older DreamLeague model, but the overall goal is clear: more variety, more feedback-driven changes, and better engagement for fans and teams alike.

ESL Creates Division 2

Finally, ESL announced the creation of a Second Division aimed at elevating smaller teams. This new initiative will begin in Europe only, with $200,000 USD in prizing split across four tournaments throughout the next season.

"DreamLeague Division 2 will be a part of the ESL Pro Tour, and there will be opportunities to qualify directly to our million dollar events."

This second-tier league will coexist with the current qualifier system, although exact details are still scarce. We’ll likely learn more after The International 2025, once the roadmap for the next ESL Pro Tour season is clearer.

Final Thoughts

ESL’s new roadmap reflects a growing implementation of community feedback, competitive dynamics, and the need to nurture new talent. With varying tournament formats and a new development tier, the next season of the ESL Pro Tour feels like a leap forward for the Dota 2 professional circuit.

It is very satisfying to see how they work to make things more interesting every year. — Credit: Twitter (@ESLDota2)

Of course, implementation will be key. ESL still needs to clarify how teams qualify for each event, considering the new division, and whether the Second Division will expand to other regions. But overall, this is a thoughtful step that shows ESL’s continued commitment to the game’s future.

If you want to stay updated with the latest in Dota 2 — from tournament results and roster news to metagame changes and expert analysis — visit the Strafe news section regularly. We’ll be covering every step of the next ESL Pro Tour season and more!

Featured Image Source: Twitter (@ESLDota2)