ESL will host Dota 2 at its flagship event in Katowice. The event organiser has had a long history with the city organising events in Katowice for several years now. The 2019 version of the event is also a Counter-Strike Major and will see peak interest in the tournament.
We are back! From February 22-24 we are returning to Poland for round two of ESL One Katowice in 2019! Get ready to witness Dota 2 together with thousands of other fans, experience the unique atmosphere, secure some autographs at signing sessions, enjoy awesome cosplays, or take part in our side activities – we have something for everyone!
ESL has announced Dota 2 character Clockwork as being the official representative for the tournament. Being a city of Iron and Steel, Katowice finds resemblance in this character [ who is technically made out of such materials].
Dota 2 returns to Poland from February 19-24!
12 teams, $300,00 prize pool, one goal – #ESLOne Katowice 2019 powered by Intel!
🇵🇱🙌🙌🇵🇱https://t.co/fW6ge22Ycr pic.twitter.com/0gPJFxnRVE
— ESL Dota2 (@ESLDota2) October 18, 2018
ESL One Katowice will have twelve participants. Eight of these teams will have a direct invite to the tournament while the remaining four will join via online qualifiers. We will have one team each from Europe, North America, South East Asia as well as China.
We are looking forward to bringing ESL One back to the legendary Spodek Arena in Katowice as part of another double weekend full of action-packed esports. Our events in Katowice are like no others, thanks to the passionate fans which travel to Poland from all over Europe and create a breath-taking atmosphere in the arena.
Ulrich Schulze, Senior Vice President of Product at ESL.
Not a DPC event but will feature a cosplay competition.
Dota 2 events are well known for their cosplay competitions where we will see some of the top cosplayers in action. Even the biggest event in Dota 2, The International 2018 featured a cosplay competition for a cash prize of $15,000.
Quite surprisingly, ESL One Katowice will not be a DPC event. ESL does not have a single DPC tournament announced as of yet. However, they already have multiple Dota 2 tournaments in the works. The prize pool of a DPC-event essentially increases two-fold as Valve matches the prize pool offered by the tournament organisers. Virtus Pro was the winner of ESL One Katowice 2018.
ESL One Katowice 2019 will take place from February 19 – 24, 2018. The group stage will take place from February 19-21 while the main event in the Spodek Arena from February 22-24. The tournament will feature CS: GO Major and will be held alongside the IEM Expo. Being an ESL One event, this tournament will also be streamed exclusively on Facebook.
