Riyadh Masters returns for its third edition on July 4, 2024, when 20 elite Dota 2 teams will compete for a $5 million prize pool. With the stakes raised, the tournament promises to be an electrifying showcase of skill. But who will reign supreme?
In this guide, we’ll share our analysis of the top teams at Riyadh Masters 2024 to bolster your Dota 2 bets. You’ll also find details about the tournament’s schedule, format, and more. As the prelude to The International, Riyadh Masters shouldn’t be missed.
The Riyadh Masters 2024 is part of the Esports World Cup happening all over the summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Riyadh Masters 2024 Schedule & Format
Riyadh Masters 2024 forms part of the Esports World Cup and is the culminating event of the ESL Pro Tour: Season 2. It will run from July 4-21, 2024, at Boulevard City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and it’s split into the following stages: Play-In (July 4-7), Group Stage (July 10-14), and Playoffs (July 16-21).
Play-In
The Play-In will follow a single round-robin format featuring two groups of six teams each. All matches will be played as a best-of-two series. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Group Stage, while those placing 4th-5th will be matched and compete against teams in the opposing group for the remaining spots. The losing teams will be eliminated.
Group Stage
The Group Stage will also adopt a single round-robin format. It will feature eight teams from the Play-In plus eight direct invite seeds, with all matches played as a best-of-two series. Teams placing 1st-4th in each group will proceed to the Upper Bracket of the Playoffs, while those ranked 5th-6th will go to the Lower Bracket. The remaining teams will be eliminated.
Playoffs
The Playoffs will follow a double-elimination bracket. All matches will be played as a best-of-three series, except for the Grand Finals, which will be a best-of-five series. The team that wins the Riyadh Masters 2024 will earn the lion’s share of the $5 million prize pool and 1,000 EWC Club Points.
You can view a full schedule of matches on the Esports World Cup website.
How To Watch Riyadh Masters 2024
You can catch all the Riyadh Masters 2024 matches live on the official EWC Twitch and YouTube channels. But why stop there? Turn the excitement of the games into potential profits by placing your Dota 2 in-play bets and live-streaming the matches at Thunderpick.
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Teams Competing In Riyadh Masters 2024
Twenty teams are competing at Riyadh Masters 2024. This includes eight invited teams based on EPT Leaderboard standings (Group Stage Seeds) and 12 teams from the respective regional qualifiers (Play-In Seeds).
Here are all the teams competing at Riyadh Masters 2024:
Play-In Seeds
- Entity (Western Europe)
- MOUZ (Western Europe)
- Virtus.pro (Eastern Europe)
- PSG Quest (MENA)
- G2 x iG (China)
- LGD Gaming (China)
- Azure Ray (China)
- Aurora (Southeast Asia)
- Blacklist International (Southeast Asia)
- Nouns (North America)
- HEROIC (South America)
- Beastcoast (South America)
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Group Stage Seeds
- Team Falcons
- BetBoom Team
- Gaimin Gladiators
- WBG.XG *
- Tundra Esports
- Team Liquid
- OG
- Team Spirit
Note: Xtreme Gaming has partnered with Weibo Gaming and will jointly compete as WBG.XG.
Our Predictions For Riyadh Masters 2024
Need help with your Riyadh Masters 2024 betting predictions? You’re not alone! Here is our analysis of the top teams capable of making an upset at the Esports World Cup.
Important: These predictions reflect the perceived strength of teams based on historical trends and the latest available odds. This analysis should not be interpreted as betting advice. Past performance does not guarantee future outcomes. Always gamble responsibly.
Team Falcons
Team Falcons has been a dominant force in the Dota 2 pro scene, with an impressive track record at major tournaments this year. They have won nearly every event, including BetBoom Dacha Dubai, ESL One Birmingham, and DreamLeague Seasons 22 and 23, making them the favorites at Riyadh Masters 2024.
Beyond their strong synergy, consistent performance, and aggressive gameplay, Team Falcons boasts a roster of highly skilled players and ex-TI champions. Malr1ne, Skiter, and ATF have proven to be the winning formula of the MENA superteam, while Crit- and Sneyking serve to enable their relentless onslaught.
Team Falcons roster:
- Oliver “Skiter” Lepko
- Stanislav “Malr1ne” Potorak
- Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf
- Andreas “Crit-” Nielsen
- Wu “Sneyking” Jingjun (Captain)
- Kurtis “Aui_2000” Ling (Coach)
BetBoom Team
BetBoom Team is a serious contender for the Riyadh Masters 2024 title, currently sitting 2nd on the EPT Leaderboard. Despite facing setbacks at PGL Wallachia and Elite League Seasons 1, they’ve demonstrated their strength and secured top-3 finishes at DreamLeague Season 23, ESL One Birmingham, and BetBoom Dacha Dubai.
While the Russian squad has risen as a formidable dark horse, evidenced by moments of strategic brilliance, their performance has been somewhat inconsistent. In particular, BetBoom have fallen short of expectations and struggled to adapt under pressure. These factors could limit their ability to overthrow top teams like Team Falcons.
BetBoom Team roster:
- Egor “Nightfall” Grigorenko
- Danil “gpk” Skutin
- Matvey “MieRo`” Vasyunin
- Vitalie “Save-” Melnic (Captain)
- Alexander “TORONTOKYO” Khertek
- Anatoly “boolk” Ivanov (Coach)
Gaimin Gladiators
Gaimin Gladiators have strong upset potential at Riyadh Masters 2024. After ending 2023 as The International runner-ups and three-peat Major champions, they experienced a rough patch. However, the team appears to have regained their form, decisively beating Team Falcons 3-0 to secure 2nd place at DreamLeague Season 23.
With a stable roster of veteran talent, Gaimin Gladiators brings a wealth of experience and mechanical skills. Their strong team chemistry enables them to execute unconventional plays that often lead to victories. Additionally, their adaptability and quick tactical adjustments make them unpredictable and difficult to counter. GG is a team to watch closely at this year’s Riyadh Masters.
Gaimin Gladiators roster:
- Anton “Dyrachyo” Shkredov
- Quinn “Quinn” Callahan
- Marcus “Ace” Hoelgaard
- Erik “tOfu” Engel
- Melchior “Seleri” Hillenkamp (Captain)
- Aske “Cy-” Larsen (Coach)
Getting Ready For The Riyadh Masters
Riyadh Masters 2024 is set to ignite the Dota 2 scene throughout July as 20 of the world’s best teams square off for a piece of the $5 million prize. But who will earn the ultimate bragging rights? Will Team Falcons continue their reign, or will an underdog like Gaimin Gladiators rise to the challenge? Stay ahead of the game with our expert predictions and make sure to check out our odds and special offers.
Don’t miss a moment of this event when you follow along at Thunderpick. Visit our Dota 2 page to learn more about how you can watch every Riyadh Masters match live and bet on the action as it happens!Always practice Responsible Gambling and check out our latest promo offers and boosts. T&Cs apply. 18+ to play.