As the road to the Esports World Cup 2025 heats up, all eyes are on FISSURE UNiVeRsE Episode 4, where sixteen of the world’s best Dota 2 teams battle for a share of the $500,000 prize pool and vital momentum going into the next stage of the season. With elite rosters, rising stars, and regional pride on the line, this tournament has already delivered high-level competition and unexpected results.
Here’s everything you need to know about the group stage structure, participating teams, early match highlights, and the upcoming playoffs.
Tournament Format and Prize Pool
The tournament spans from March 22 to March 30, 2025, divided into two phases: Group Stage and Playoffs.
Group Stage (March 22–26)
- Modified Swiss-system featuring 16 teams.
- All matches are Best-of-Three (Bo3).
- Top 8 teams advance to the playoffs.
- Bottom 8 teams are eliminated.
Playoffs (March 27–30)
- Double-elimination bracket.
- All matches are Bo3, except for the Grand Final (Bo5).
Prize Pool Distribution:
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $250,000 |
| 2nd | $100,000 |
| 3rd | $60,000 |
| 4th | $30,000 |
| 5th–16th | Participatory + Support Bonuses |
Additionally, $150,000 USD was distributed as financial support for participating teams.
Teams and Rosters: Who’s Competing?
The event features a global mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent. Some of the standout lineups include:
Top Contenders:
- Team Spirit: Yatoro, Larl, Collapse, rue, Miposhka
- Tundra Esports: Crystallis, bzm, 33, Saksa, Fly
- Team Liquid: miCKe, Nisha, SaberLight, Boxi, Insania
- Team Falcons: skiter, Malr1ne, ATF, Cr1t-, Sneyking
- Gaimin Gladiators: watson, Quinn, Ace, tOfu, Malady
International Wildcards:
- Wildcard (NA): Yamsun, RCY, Fayde, Bignum, Speeed
- M80 (SA): K1, DarkMago, ILICH-, Elmisho, MoOz
- Aurora Gaming (EEU): Nightfall, kiyotaka, TORONTOTOKYO, Mira, panto
- BOOM Esports (SEA): JaCkky, Armel, Jabz, TIMS, Jaunuel
Every region has a horse in the race, with Team Tidebound, Talon Esports, PARIVISION, BetBoom, and 1win rounding out a stacked field.
Group Stage Recap: Early Surprises and Dominant Starts
With three rounds of group play concluded, we’ve already seen some intense clashes and surprise results.
Top Performing Teams:
- Team Spirit: Defeated Aurora, BOOM, and Gaimin Gladiators.
- Tundra Esports: Narrow wins over Talon, Night Pulse, and Team Liquid.
- Team Liquid: Swept Wildcard, Tidebound, and nearly Tundra before a tight loss.
- Gaimin Gladiators: Strong performances against M80 and Falcons.
Surprise Risers and Mid-Tier Shakeups:
- Night Pulse stunned PARIVISION and held their own vs Tundra.
- BOOM Esports bounced back with a 2-0 over Spirit, but dropped a series to PARIVISION.
- BetBoom Team had an inconsistent start, but closed strong with a 2-1 over Night Pulse.
Teams on the Brink:
- Wildcard, M80, One Move, and 1win have struggled with 0-2 records.
- Talon, Team Tidebound, and PARIVISION are still fighting in the middle of the pack, with 1-1 scores.
Broadcast & Talent
The tournament boasts a robust international broadcast setup with English, Russian, and Chinese streams, featuring fan-favorite casters and analysts.
English Broadcast Talent:
- 343, Bkop, hairy_freak, Lacoste, lizZard, permasneeze, rkryptic, and ZQuixotix bring sharp commentary and humor to every game.
FAQs
Q: What is the tournament format for FISSURE Universe Episode 4?
A: The group stage is a modified Swiss system. The top 8 teams move to a double-elimination playoff.
Q: Which team is undefeated so far?
A: Team Spirit, Tundra Esports, Team Liquid, and Gaimin Gladiators are all 2-0 or 3-0.
Q: What is the prize for first place?
A: The champion receives $250,000 USD.
Q: How are teams from each region represented?
A: All major regions (Europe, SEA, China, CIS, North/South America) have at least one representative.
Q: When do the playoffs begin?
A: March 27, 2025, with the Grand Final scheduled for March 30, 2025.
As the group stage nears its end, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With several favorites still undefeated and underdogs clawing for survival, the final Swiss rounds and upcoming playoff bracket promise drama, upsets, and elite Dota.
Stay tuned for more updates as we head into the business end of FISSURE Universe Episode 4 — where only the strongest will rise.
