The stage is set for DreamLeague Season 27, with ESL FACEIT confirming the 11 directly invited teams that will join the action in December. As the first major event of the ESL Pro Tour (EPT) 2025/2026 season, the tournament is shaping up to be a massive spectacle for Dota 2 fans around the world.
Our #DreamLeague Season 27 invited teams are LOCKED IN! 🔥
They’ll be joining the 8 teams from the Closed Qualifiers and 5 teams from Division 2 for our BIGGEST DreamLeague yet! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/ILF6h9zN70
— ESL Dota2 (@ESLDota2) September 30, 2025
Who’s In?
The list of invited squads features some of the biggest names in competitive Dota 2, including reigning International champions Team Falcons, alongside DreamLeague Season 26 winners PARAVISION. Other heavy hitters such as Team Spirit, Team Liquid, Xtreme Gaming, BetBoom Team, Tundra Esports, Aurora Gaming, Nigma Galaxy, HEROIC, and Talon Esports are all confirmed.
They’ll be joined by eight teams that advanced through regional qualifiers, while five more slots remain open from Division 2 Stage 1. In total, 24 teams will be competing for glory.
Why It Matters
The spotlight will be firmly on Team Falcons, who lifted the Aegis at The International 2025 after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Xtreme Gaming in Hamburg. Meanwhile, PARAVISION comes into the event as one of the hottest squads in the scene, having dominated last season with titles at DreamLeague Season 26 and ESL One Raleigh, plus a third-place finish at TI14.
Other teams, including Tundra, BetBoom, and Xtreme Gaming, have recently undergone roster changes, making this the first big test for their new line-ups. With so much in flux, fans can expect plenty of surprises when the tournament gets underway.
Tournament Details
DreamLeague Season 27 runs online from 10–21 December 2025, bringing a prize pool of $1 million NZD (~£749,400) to the table. Alongside the cash, teams will compete for 19,500 EPT Points and $250,000 (~£187,350) in club rewards, which could prove crucial for securing invitations to future ESL Pro Tour events.
The format kicks off with a Swiss system Group Stage featuring best-of-three matches. From there, the top squads will battle through a double-elimination Playoffs bracket, leading to a best-of-five Grand Final to crown the champion.
Where to Watch
Every match will be streamed live on ESL’s official Dota 2 Twitch and YouTube channels, ensuring fans around the globe can follow the action.
DreamLeague Season 27 not only marks the start of the new competitive year but also sets the tone for what’s expected to be a thrilling season of Dota 2, with DreamLeague Season 28 and ESL One Birmingham already on the horizon.