ESL One Los Angeles returns this week with online regional leagues format and 34 teams competing

ESL One Los Angeles was supposed to be the third Major of the 2019-2020 Dota Pro Circuit and the first LAN tournament to be hosted in North America in three years. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible for the organizers to carry on with the initial and two weeks after the LAN got cancelled, ESL One is ready to announce a new format to fit an online competition.

While no Dota Pro Circuit Points are in play for the new format, the 16 teams initially qualified for the LA Major are all invited to the new event and will be joined by 18 more selected based on the current DPC rankings. The 34 teams in total will play starting this Saturday, March 28 in an online regional league tournament format with a total prize pool of $375,000.

ESL One Los Angeles invited teams and prize pool distribution:

Europe & CIS: Prize pool $200,000

  • Team Secret
  • OG
  • Team Liquid
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas
  • Nigma
  • Alliance
  • Na’Vi
  • Virtus.pro
  • Gambit Esports
  • Team Spirit
  • HellRaisers
  • B8
  • Cyber Legacy
  • Gentlemen
  • TBA
  • TBA

China: Prize pool $55,000

  • Vici Gaming
  • Invictus Gaming
  • PSG.LGD Gaming
  • Newbee
  • EHOME
  • Royal Never Give Up

Unfortunately, Team Aster had to forfeit their spot in the tournament as four of their players are in quarantine. According to the announcement made by the organization on Weibo, they discussed the matter with ESL One and reached an agreement with PSG.LGD to replace them in the event.

Southeast Asia: Prize pool $40,000

  • Fnatic
  • Geek Fam
  • Team Adroit
  • BOOM Esports

North America: Prize pool $40,000

  • Evil Geniuses
  • Chaos Esports Club
  • Business Associates
  • CR4ZY

South America: Prize pool $40,000

  • beastcoast
  • Thunder Predator
  • FURIA Esports
  • No-ping Esports

The five regional leagues will be played March 28 – April 19 in the following format:

Group Stage, round robin, BO3 series

EU+CIS: 2 Groups of 8 teams each

China: 1 Group of 6

NA/SEA/SA: 1 Group of 4

Playoffs:

Europe + CIS: Format to be announced

China: 1st and 2nd placed teams play each other, with the winner advancing to the Grand Final. The 3rd and 4th placed teams will also play each other, with the winner playing against the loser of the 1st/2nd series for a slot in the Grand Final.

NA/SEA/SA: 1st place goes to the Grand Final. 2nd and 3rd place play each other, with the winner heading to the Grand Final.

Grand finals are BO5.           

Additionally, ESL One has also announced that ESL One Birmingham 2020 will also be converted to an online tournament taking place from May to June with a prize pool of $335,000 split across all regions. Invites and more details are to be announced.

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