ESL One Raleigh 2025: Everything You Need to Know

Event Overview

ESL One Raleigh 2025 is a highly anticipated Dota 2 esports tournament that marks the return of ESL One to the United States after more than six years. The event will take place at the Raleigh Convention Center in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, from April 7 to April 13, 2025.

Dates and Venue

• Dates: April 7-13, 2025
• Venue: Raleigh Convention Center
• Location: Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina
• Address: 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601

Schedule

The event is divided into two main phases: the Group Stage and the Playoffs.

Group Stage

• Dates: April 7-9, 2025
• Format: Two single round-robin groups of six teams each, with all series consisting of two games.
• Advancement: The top two teams from each group advance to the upper bracket of the playoffs, while the 3rd to 4th place teams advance to the lower bracket. Remaining teams are eliminated.

Playoffs

• Dates: April 10-13, 2025
• Format: Double-elimination bracket. All matches except the Grand Final are Best-of-Three (Bo3), and the Grand Final is Best-of-Five (Bo5).

Participants

The tournament features 12 teams, including:

• Four teams directly invited based on their standings on the ESL Pro Tour (EPT) Leaderboard.
• Eight teams that earned their spots through regional qualifiers held in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, China, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), North America, and South America.

Ticket Information

Tickets for ESL One Raleigh 2025 are now available, offering various pricing options to cater to different fan preferences.

• Ticket Prices: Tickets start at around $99, with average prices ranging from $190 to $255.
• Where to Purchase: Tickets can be bought through official ticketing platforms like Vivid Seats.

Prize Pool and EPT Points

The tournament boasts a significant prize pool and EPT Points distribution:

• Prize Pool: $1,000,000 USD
• EPT Points: 27,920 points will be distributed among the participants, with the first place team receiving 6,400 points and 640 group stage points.

Why Raleigh?

Raleigh, North Carolina, was selected to host this prestigious event due to its robust esports infrastructure and the city’s commitment to fostering a vibrant esports community. The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Greater Raleigh Esports Local Organizing Committee played crucial roles in securing the bid, supported by the North Carolina Esports Incentive Grant Fund.

Economic Impact

Hosting ESL One Raleigh 2025 is expected to have a significant economic impact on the local and state economies. Previous major esports events in Raleigh, such as the Fortnite Champion Series: 2022 Invitational and the Apex Legends Global Series: 2022 Championship, have injected millions of dollars and supported hundreds of jobs.

Global Reach

The event will be streamed live on Twitch and YouTube, reaching millions of global viewers. This exposure will not only highlight the best of Dota 2 but also showcase Raleigh as a premier destination for esports events.

Community Engagement

ESL One Raleigh 2025 is more than just a tournament; it’s a celebration of the Dota 2 community. Fans will have the opportunity to meet professional players, watch high-level gameplay, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. The event promises an unforgettable weekend for all attendees.

Format and Tiebreakers

In the event of ties during the Group Stage, specific tiebreaker rules will be applied:

• For ties over significant positions, a Best-of-Three (Bo3) or a Best-of-One (Bo1) round-robin will be played.
• For less critical ties, the Neustadtl score, head-to-head records, and records against lower-ranked teams will be used to resolve the tie.

Conclusion

ESL One Raleigh 2025 is set to be a landmark event in the Dota 2 esports calendar, bringing together the best teams and fans from around the world. With its rich prize pool, engaging format, and strong community focus, this tournament is an event not to be missed. Whether you’re attending in person or watching from home, ESL One Raleigh 2025 promises to deliver an exciting and memorable experience.