Dota2 Riyadh Masters returns to Gamers8: The Land of Heroes with planet’s best vying for $15 million prize pool

The action, excitement and exhilaration continues at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes this week with the Dota2 Riyadh Masters back for its second edition at the biggest gaming and esports festival worldwide. 

Returning to Boulevard Riyadh City even bigger and better following last year’s remarkable debut tournament, 20 of the planet’s most formidable teams will battle it out for a jaw-dropping $15 million prize pool beginning this Wednesday July 19. The prize pool is the biggest of the 15 tournaments being held this summer at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, which is organized by the Saudi Esports Federation.

The deepest multi-player action, real-time strategy (RTS) game ever created and one of the world’s biggest esports titles, Dota2 at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes is simply unmissable. With teamwork, skill, a little luck, and the discovery of new tactics, players must work together in teams of five to progress through the 12-day tournament and emerge victorious on Sunday July 30. 

For every team, 124 heroes are available to choose from, each with unique capabilities, personalities, and backstories. And before entering to do battle, five must be chosen to form an all-star squad capable of conquering the opposing five-hero combination. From there, they must continuously overcome the greatest players and teams on earth to ultimately claim the $5 million champion prize and title of ‘world’s best’. 

HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “Dota2 is one of the best esports games of all time and we are ecstatic to be staging the Riyadh Masters once more. Last year, this same tournament really helped to put Gamers8 on the map, and this time around anticipation and interest from near and far has reached a whole new level given how epic the action was in 2022. We cannot wait for the drama to unfold as the world’s elite Dota2 teams return for the Riyadh Masters. Their involvement is another testament to the Gamers8 evolution – an evolution that all of us here at SEF are proud to be witnessing alongside the international gaming community.” 

A standout of the Gamers8 festival, the Dota 2 Riyadh Masters is where champions are made. Once again, the competition presents an engaging format certain to thrill the live audience and millions more tuning in locally, regionally, and internationally. The format includes play-in and group stages, with a round robin system and, of course, double elimination play-offs. A $2.5 million prize also awaits the runners-up, with $1.7 million and $1.2 million going to those who place third and fourth, respectively. 

Gamers8: The Land of Heroes recap

Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation, eight-week long Gamers8: The Land of Heroes has a prize pool of $45 million – triple that of Gamers8 last year. The biggest gaming and esports festival worldwide features 15 elite esports tournaments from 12 top titles, as well as community gaming and educational platforms. These are complemented by live concerts from top global, regional, and local artists, as well as numerous fun-filled activities and attractions for all the family.

The festival concludes with the Next World Forum, a gaming and esports forum held at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Center on August 30-31, that brings together sector leaders and experts from around the world.

ENDS