$1 million prize pool on the line
Chengdu has been confirmed as the next stop on the BLAST competitive circuit, with the BLAST Dota Slam Chengdu scheduled for 5–7 December 2025. The tournament will take place at the 12,000-seat Wuliangye Chengdu Performing Arts Centre, with some of the world’s top Dota 2 teams set to compete for a $1 million prize pool.
The event will be broadcast in more than 50 territories and 30 languages, highlighting Chengdu’s growing role on the international esports stage.
Three-year partnership
The Chengdu edition of the Slam is part of a three-year agreement between BLAST and the Chengdu Broadcasting Film and Television Group. Future events under this deal are expected to be confirmed at a later date.
James Woollard, BLAST’s Director of Market Development, said the partnership marked an important step for the company in China, calling Chengdu “a city with rich culture, cutting-edge infrastructure, a history of live entertainment and a growing reputation for gaming and esports.”
Zhou Wenwen, General Manager of Chengdu Broadcasting Film and Television Group, described the Slam as both “a competitive feast for fans all over the world” and an opportunity to showcase Chengdu as an international entertainment hub.
Chengdu’s esports ambitions
Chengdu has hosted esports tournaments as far back as 2009 and will also stage the League of Legends World Championship Final in November 2025. The addition of the Dota Slam adds to the city’s profile as it positions itself as a hub for competitive gaming in Asia.
The Wuliangye Chengdu Performing Arts Centre, where the event will be held, is one of the city’s landmark cultural venues. The arena was designed to host large-scale concerts and entertainment events and features modern facilities aimed at enhancing live experiences.
Dota 2’s history in China
China has long been a cornerstone of professional Dota 2. The country has produced multiple The International winners, with Invictus Gaming’s TI2 victory in 2012 marking the first Chinese triumph. This was followed by Newbee (TI4), Wings Gaming (TI6), and PSG.LGD’s recent TI win in 2024.
The region has also hosted some of the most memorable tournaments in the game’s history. The Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai staged The International 2019, the first TI held in China, drawing massive live audiences and breaking viewership records at the time. Other major events have taken place in Beijing, Shanghai, and other Chinese cities, underscoring the region’s deep ties with the game.
With BLAST now entering the Chinese Dota 2 scene, Chengdu joins this legacy, expanding the country’s role as both a host and a proving ground for international competition.
Teams confirmed
The first direct invites for BLAST Dota Slam Chengdu have been announced. Tundra, HEROIC, Team Spirit, Team Falcons, PARIVISION, and Team Liquid are confirmed to take part, with more teams expected to join the lineup closer to December.
With major BLAST events already staged in 2025 in Rio, London, Lisbon, Austin, Boston, Singapore and Hong Kong, Chengdu now becomes part of the circuit of global esports destinations.
