ESL One Raleigh 2025 is set to be a historic tournament for Dota 2, marking the first ESL One event in the United States since 2015. Hosted at the Raleigh Convention Center in North Carolina, this event is a critical stop in Season 3 of the ESL Pro Tour (EPT), serving as one of the last opportunities for teams to earn EPT Points before the Esports World Cup 2025.
With a $1,000,000 prize pool and some of the best teams in the world competing, ESL One Raleigh 2025 is shaping up to be an unmissable tournament. However, its qualification process was marred by controversy, as an exploit led to multiple team disqualifications and heated debates within the Dota 2 community.
Tournament Format and Schedule
ESL One Raleigh 2025 will take place from April 7 to April 13, 2025, featuring 12 teams—four invited via the EPT leaderboard and eight from regional qualifiers.
Group Stage (April 7 – April 9, 2025)
- Two round-robin groups with six teams each.
- All matches are Bo2.
- Top two teams from each group advance to the Upper Bracket.
- 3rd and 4th place teams move to the Lower Bracket.
- Bottom two teams in each group are eliminated.
Playoffs (April 10 – April 13, 2025)
- Double-elimination format.
- All matches are Bo3, except for the Grand Final (Bo5).
- The final three days will be played in front of a live audience.
Prize Pool and EPT Points Distribution
- $750,000 USD is allocated as player prize money.
- $250,000 USD is reserved as club rewards.
- A total of 27,920 EPT Points will be distributed among teams, influencing their qualification to the Esports World Cup 2025.
| Place | PrizeMoney | Club Reward | EPT Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | $250,000 | $40,000 | 6,400 |
| 2nd | $130,000 | $35,000 | 4,800 |
| 3rd | $100,000 | $27,500 | 4,000 |
| 4th | $70,000 | $22,500 | 3,200 |
Teams and Participants
A total of 12 teams will be competing at ESL One Raleigh 2025:
Direct Invites (via EPT Leaderboard)
- PARIVISION
- BetBoom Team
- Team Falcons
- Team Liquid
Regional Qualifier Teams
- Western Europe: Tundra Esports, AVULUS
- Eastern Europe: Team Spirit
- Middle East & South West Asia: Nigma Galaxy
- China: Team Tidebound
- Southeast Asia: Talon Esports
- North America: Shopify Rebellion
- South America: HEROIC
The Smoke of Deceit Bug Controversy
The lead-up to ESL One Raleigh 2025 was overshadowed by an exploit that allowed teams to track the use of Smoke of Deceit and other items in the game. This exploit, which had reportedly been in use since The International 2024, led to widespread disqualifications and penalties for teams that had used it during the qualifiers.
“Mira claimed that the exploit had been known for ‘months,’ and had been employed in multiple tournaments including The International 2024 and Riyadh Masters 2024.” – ESL One Report
Key Disqualifications and Sanctions
Teams Disqualified or Penalized
- NAVI Junior was disqualified and replaced by AVULUS.
- Tundra Esports, Team Spirit, Team Secret, and Shopify Rebellion were found to have used the exploit but were allowed to keep their spots.
- 9Pandas, Aurora Gaming, One Move, Passion UA, and Virtus.pro were banned from being substitutes at the event due to repeated exploit usage.
ESL’s Investigation and Response
- ESL initially banned the exploit at ESL One Bangkok 2024 but failed to inform all teams.
- After a week-long investigation, ESL issued sanctions against multiple teams.
- The exploit was patched on January 29, 2025, though a more complicated variation was discovered later in February.
This controversy raises questions about exploit detection and fair play enforcement in professional Dota 2. While ESL has promised stricter rule enforcement moving forward, the fallout from this scandal has left lingering tensions among teams and fans.
What to Expect from ESL One Raleigh 2025
With the controversy behind us, ESL One Raleigh 2025 is shaping up to be a must-watch tournament. Here are some key storylines to follow:
1. Can Team Spirit Overcome the Backlash?
After being implicated in the exploit scandal, Team Spirit faces immense pressure to prove their legitimacy on LAN. Can they rise above the criticism and perform on the big stage?
2. Will North America Make a Comeback?
Shopify Rebellion carries NA’s hopes into this event. With a new roster, can they break North America’s streak of underwhelming international performances?
3. The Powerhouses of China and Western Europe
Tundra Esports, Team Tidebound, and Talon Esports all have strong rosters and will be looking to assert dominance. Expect these teams to bring innovation to the meta.
4. Will a Dark Horse Emerge?
ESL One events often feature unexpected upsets. Could a Wildcard team like HEROIC or AVULUS surprise the competition?
Where to Watch ESL One Raleigh 2025
Official Broadcast Channels
ESL One Raleigh 2025 will be streamed on multiple platforms, covering English, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, and Ukrainian broadcasts.
- Twitch: ESL Dota 2 Official Channel
- YouTube: ESL Dota 2 YouTube Channel
- Dota TV: In-game client broadcast
English Broadcast Talent
- Hosts: Sheever, Tsunami
- Stage Host: Slacks
- Commentators: Cap, SUNSfan, syndereN
- Analysts: BSJ, Fear, Ephey
Historic Event
ESL One Raleigh 2025 is not just another Dota 2 tournament—it’s a historic return of ESL One to North America. With high stakes, intense rivalries, and lingering controversies, this event is set to be one of the most exciting tournaments of the year. Whether you’re a die-hard Dota fan or a newcomer to the scene, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
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FAQs
Q: When is ESL One Raleigh 2025?
A: The tournament runs from April 7 – April 13, 2025.
Q: What is the prize pool?
A: $1,000,000 USD, with $750,000 for players and $250,000 for clubs.
Q: How can I watch the tournament?
A: It will be streamed on Twitch, YouTube, and Dota TV.
Q: Which teams are competing?
A: 12 teams, including Team Liquid, Team Spirit, Tundra Esports, and BetBoom Team.
Q: What was the controversy surrounding the qualifiers?
A: Several teams abused an exploit to track Smoke of Deceit usage, leading to sanctions and disqualifications.
