FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2: Format, Schedule, Fixtures and More

While BLAST Slam IV goes into a short hiatus until its Playoffs on November 7th, FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2 steps in to keep the Dota 2 scene alive. The tournament kicks off on October 23rd and will keep fans entertained throughout the week, running all the way to November 2nd.

With a fresh lineup, a classic format, and an exciting mix of teams from across regions, the event promises plenty of high-level action. In this preview, we’ll break down the full team lineup, the tournament structure, the invited talent, the opening schedule for the Group Stage, and the most anticipated matchups to watch out for.

Fissure asked teams to rank the lineup and the average of everyone's input was this. — Credit: Twitter (@fissure_eng)

FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2: Lineup

The organizers have confirmed sixteen teams for FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2, featuring a healthy mix of regional champions, international contenders, and fresh faces ready to prove themselves. Here’s the full list:

• Team Falcons (Direct Invite)

• PARIVISION (Direct Invite)

• Tundra Esports (Direct Invite)

• Team Spirit (Direct Invite)

• Heroic (Direct Invite)

• BetBoom Team (Direct Invite)

• Aurora Gaming (Direct Invite)

• Team Liquid (Direct Invite)

• MOUZ (Western European Qualifiers)

• Nigma Galaxy (Direct Invite)

• Vici Gaming (Direct Invite)

• Team Yandex (Direct Invite)

• Yakult Brothers (Southeast Asian and Chinese Qualifiers)

• Virtus.pro (Western European Qualifiers)

• Runa Team (Eastern European Qualifiers)

• Team Cobra (formerly Perrito Panzon — American Qualifiers)

According to FISSURE’s tweet, the ranking order was determined through an internal process, where teams were asked to rate each other’s strength. The average of those evaluations created a lineup that promises plenty of exciting clashes.

Tournament Organization

In contrast to the experimental structure of BLAST Slam IV's new format, FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2 keeps things more traditional and straightforward — but no less competitive. The tournament begins with a five-round modified Swiss Group Stage, where every match is a best-of-three series.

Sixteen teams will battle it out from October 23rd to October 27th, and only eight will advance to the Playoffs. Once there, the remaining squads will face each other in a double-elimination bracket, leading up to the Grand Final, which will be a best-of-five series on November 2nd.

Invited Talent

The FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2 broadcast team will be slightly smaller compared to other international tournaments, but the lineup is still stacked with fan-favorite personalities. Hosting duties will be handled by Natalie “NatTea” Mahoney and Andrew “Jenkins” Jenkins, both known for their engaging on-camera presence.

On the commentary side, the voices guiding fans through the chaos will include Benjamin “Bkop” Kopilow, Dominik “Lacoste” Stipić, Nikola “hairy_freak” Babić, and Rikumikko “T-Panda” Kangasmäki. With such a seasoned crew, viewers can expect a smooth and entertaining broadcast filled with insightful analysis, humor, and memorable moments.

FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2: Schedule

Let’s take a look at the opening day of FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2. Because of the Swiss format, only the first round’s matches are set in advance — subsequent pairings will depend on the outcomes of earlier rounds.

Here’s the schedule for October 23rd (times in GMT):

• 08:00 — Heroic vs. Yakult Brothers

• 08:00 — Aurora Gaming vs. Runa Team

• 11:30 — BetBoom Team vs. Virtus.pro

• 11:30 — Team Liquid vs. Team Cobra

• 15:00 — PARIVISION vs. Nigma Galaxy

• 15:00 — Tundra Esports vs. Vici Gaming

• 18:30 — Team Spirit vs. Team Yandex

• 18:30 — Team Falcons vs. MOUZ

This stacked opening day showcases nearly all major regions of competitive Dota 2, setting the stage for an event full of regional clashes and revenge stories.

The official Twitter profile informs the time in CEST, we use GMT. — Credit: Twitter (@fissure_eng)

Best Matchups: Round 1 Highlights

Among the opening series, a few matchups stand out as must-watch. The first is PARIVISION vs. Nigma Galaxy — two teams that finished 3rd and 6th respectively at The International 2025.

Although PARIVISION might be considered the stronger side on paper, Nigma Galaxy’s roster has a reputation for pulling off upsets in early rounds. It is also important to note that Nigma will be playing with stand-in players on the offlane and soft support positions.

There is a lot of interesting matchups to look forward to in this tournament. — Credit: Eric de Oliveira

Another exciting duel will feature Tundra Esports vs. Vici Gaming, a clash between Western consistency and a somewhat rejuvenated Chinese powerhouse. Vici’s return to Dota has drawn attention thanks to the reappearance of Xiong “Pyw” Jiahan and Ding “Dy” Cong, both eager to prove they can still perform at the top level.

Finally, the main event of the day could be Team Falcons vs. MOUZ. Falcons enter the tournament as reigning TI champions, while MOUZ have been on a steady rise since their runner-up finish at FISSURE Universe Episode 7.

Closing Thoughts

The arrival of FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2 is excellent news for Dota 2 fans around the world. Not only does it fill the gap left by the BLAST Slam IV hiatus, but it also provides teams with valuable playtime to maintain their form during this time.

If you’re looking to stay up to date on the latest results, hero trends, and behind-the-scenes updates from this tournament and beyond, make sure to check out the news section on the Strafe website!

Featured Image Source: Twitter (@fissure_eng)