DreamLeague is back for its 26th season—and it’s going to be an absolute banger! From May 19, Dota 2’s top squads will throw down for a cut of a huge $1 million cash prize. With both the Esports World Cup and The International 2025 looming, the tournament is about more than just bragging rights.
This guide details everything to know about DreamLeague Season 26, including the tournament schedule, format, teams, and predictions to give your outright bets an edge.
DreamLeague Season 26 Schedule & Format
DreamLeague Season 26 runs from May 19 until June 1, bringing together 16 of the world’s top Dota 2 teams for an intense showdown. Hosted online by ESL, the tournament begins with a two-phase Group Stage followed by the Playoffs, with a $1 million prize pool and 29,200 EPT Points up for grabs.
The action starts with Group Stage 1, where two round-robin groups of eight will battle in best-of-two (Bo2) matchups. The teams placing 1st-4th in each group will move on—everyone else will get the boot. From there, eight teams will compete in another round-robin stage, this time with Bo3 matchups.
The Playoffs will wrap things up in a classic double-elimination bracket, with all matches except the Bo5 Grand Final being played as a Bo3 series. The top two teams from Group Stage 2 seed directly to the upper bracket of the Playoffs, while the 3rd- and 4th-place finishers start from the lower bracket.
Prize Pool Distribution
Here’s how the prize pool and EPT points will be split at DreamLeague Season 26.
| Place | Prize Money | Club Reward | EPT Points |
| 1st | $250,000 | $40,000 | 6,000 |
| 2nd | $100,000 | $30,000 | 5,000 |
| 3rd | $80,000 | $25,000 | 4,000 |
| 4th | $60,000 | $20,000 | 3,200 |
| 5th | $45,000 | $15,000 | 2,400 |
| 6th | $35,000 | $12,500 | 2,000 |
| 7th | $30,000 | $12,500 | 1,200 |
| 8th | $25,000 | $12,500 | 800 |
| 9th-10th | $20,000 | $10,000 | 500 |
| 11th-12th | $17,500 | $10,000 | 250 |
| 13th-14th | $15,000 | $10,000 | 140 |
| 15th-16th | $10,000 | $10,000 | 60 |
| Totals | $1,000,000 | 29,200 | |
Note: Teams that finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Group Stage 1 will earn 600, 300, and 150 bonus EPT points, respectively. The winner of Group Stage 2 will also pocket an extra 600 EPT points.
How To Watch DreamLeague Season 26
DreamLeague Season 26 is a fully online event, which means the best plays are only a click away! To tune in, visit the ESL Dota 2 Twitch and YouTube channels. Hungry for more? Head to the Dota 2 betting section at Thunderpick, click the “Live” tab, and place in-play bets right as the matches unfold.
Teams Competing In DreamLeague Season 26
Sixteen teams are set to compete at DreamLeague Season 26. Four of them represent the top-ranked squads on the ESL Pro Tour Leaderboard, ten have earned a spot through the different Regional Qualifiers, and two qualified via the Asian Champions League in China.
- PARIVISION
- BetBoom Team
- Team Falcons
- Team Liquid
- NAVI Junior *
- Gaimin Gladiators
- AVULUS
- Aurora Gaming
- Nigma Galaxy
- BOOM Esports
- Talon Esports
- Shopify Rebellion
- OG.LATAM *
- Edge *
- Xtreme Gaming
- Yakult Brothers
Note: Tundra Esports withdrew from the event and was replaced by NAVI Junior. Perrito Panzon was signed by OG.LATAM and Mosquito Clan’s roster was transferred to Edge.
Our Predictions For DreamLeague Season 26
Think you’ve got your predictions locked? Hold that thought! With teams eager to make a statement, DreamLeague Season 26 is far from your average pub stomp. Here’s our take on the top contenders to add to your bet slip!
Important: These predictions reflect the perceived strength of teams based on historical trends and the latest available odds. This analysis should not be interpreted as betting advice. Past performance does not guarantee future outcomes. Always gamble responsibly.
PARIVISION
PARIVISION has been on a tear this year, surging up the EPT rankings after incredible performances from all sides. Sitting 1st in Eastern Europe, ahead of heavyweights like Team Spirit and BetBoom, they’ve consistently proven their caliber, recently finishing 1st at ESL One Raleigh and 2nd at PGL Wallachia Season 4.
While disappointing runs at BLAST Slam II and III slowed their momentum somewhat, confidence in the camp remains sky-high. With Team Spirit (their fiercest rivals) not in the picture, PARIVISION has a clear shot at a deep playoff run and is the favorite to take the DreamLeague Season 26 title.
PARIVISION’s roster:
- Alan “Satanic” Galliamov (On Loan)
- Volodymyr “Noone” Minenko
- Dmitrii “DM” Dorokhin
- Edgar “9Class” Naltankian
- Andrey “Dukalis” Kuropatkin (Captain)
- Filipe Astini “Astini” Ribeiro (Coach)
Team Falcons
Team Falcons were nearly unstoppable in 2024, and while that dominance cooled earlier this year, their latest performance suggests they’re back in business. At BLAST Slam III, Falcons tore through the Group Stage to secure a direct spot in the Semis, where they dismantled Team Spirit 2-0.
Tundra might have taken them down 3-1 in the Grand Final, but with heavy-hitters like skiter, ATF, and Malr1ne on board, Falcons remain one of the most dangerous teams in the scene. Having already claimed DreamLeague titles in Seasons 22, 23, and 24, the MENA giants are hungrier than ever to run it back.
Team Falcons’ roster:
- Oliver “skiter” Lepko
- Stanislav “Malr1ne” Potorak
- Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf
- Andreas “Cr1t-” Nielsen
- Wu “Sneyking” Jingjun (Captain)
- Kurtis “Aui_2000” Ling (Coach)
Gaimin Gladiators
Gaimin Gladiators are ranked 3rd in the EPT Western Europe rankings, proving they can deliver on the big stage. So far, they’ve finished 2nd at BLAST Slam II, 2nd at FISSURE Universe Episode 4, and 3rd-4th at BLAST Slam III. Their biggest setback right now is consistency, a trait they share with BetBoom and Liquid.
Though they’ve not managed to win a major title this year, the roster is undeniably stacked. For example, watson has the 2nd-highest MMR in Europe, while Quinn is a godlike midlaner with a deep hero pool. Beyond that, with Malady now a full-time member, Gaimin might finally have the spark they need to strike back.
Gaimin Gladiators’ roster:
- Alimzhan “watson” Islambekov
- Quinn “Quinn” Callahan
- Marcus “Ace” Hoelgaard
- Erik “tOfu” Engel
- Arman “Malady” Orazbayev
- Aske “Cy-” Larsen (Coach)
Ready To Bet On DreamLeague Season 26?
DreamLeague Season 26 promises to deliver many unforgettable moments, and honestly, are we even surprised?! With the best Dota 2 teams colliding for a cut of $1 million (and precious EPT points!), it’s only natural to expect big-brain strats and clutch plays all tournament long.
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