ESL One Genting Returns To Malaysia With $400,000 Prize Pool
Published: Oct 18, 2017 - Last Updated: Jan 10, 2022
ESL has announced its first Dota 2 event for 2018. ESL One Genting will return to Malaysia from Jan. 23-28 and will feature a prize pool of $400,000.
Dota 2 Pro Circuit minor will showcase 16 top teams
This year’s ESL One Genting will be part of the Dota 2 Pro Circuit. The system awards winning teams points throughout the year that serve as the base for qualifying for The International. The number of direct invites is not yet known, but 16 top teams will attend the minor. Qualifiers around the globe will decide which teams will join the direct invites.
Same as last year, the event will take place at the Arena of Stars Resorts in the Genting Highlands of Malaysia. The 45,000-square-foot musical amphitheater, which is owned by Resort World Genting, has a 6,000-seat capacity.
Here’s what ESL Senior VP of Products Ulrich Schulze had to say about the tournament’s second run:
“After this year’s successful kick-off with our flagship series ESL One, which was held for the very first time at the Arena of Stars in Malaysia, we already knew that it wouldn’t be our last event in Genting. The Southeast Asian Dota 2 community showed us, what real passion looks like and provided us with one of the key factors to create a legendary esports event: atmosphere. We found a strong and reliable partner with Resorts World Genting and together we are looking forward to make ESL One Genting 2018 even bigger and better than last time.”
Southeast Asia can’t get enough esports
ESL One Genting 2018 will be ESL’s third Dota 2 tournament in Southeast Asia. ESL One Manila 2016 and last year’s ESL One Genting were huge successes for the organization.
With esports growing rapidly in scope and popularity, many organizations are seeking to get in on the esports boom.
“Esports is recognized as the next big thing in marketing and the size of the global esports audience has rapidly grown,” said Resorts World Genting VP of Promotions & Entertainment Kevin Tann. “One fifth of the world is said to actively play video games for an average of an hour a day. This is a complex and fast-changing universe, and we are eager to be part of it. Through ESL One Genting, we hope to connect with esports fans in an authentic way — a way that delivers added value to their experience and to the sport.”
Southeast Asia accounts for a significant portion of esports’ global growth. With roughly 20 million esports enthusiasts expected by 2019, it’s also one of the fastest growing regions in competitive gaming.
Since: September 12, 2015
