ESL will not host a DPC regional League in 2023; PGL gets WEU and NA cover image

ESL will not host a DPC regional League in 2023; PGL gets WEU and NA

After being a core component of previous DPCs ESL will not hosting any regional league this year.

ESL will not be hosting a DPC region in 2023. This comes as a big hit to the DPC as ESL has been one of the staples in the DPC over the years. However, this does not mean a complete exit for ESL from Dota 2 as the TO is still expected to host third-party events in the upcoming year.

Over the past couple of years, ESL hosted the CIS (2021) and the NA regional Leagues (2021-22). But this year, Dota 2 fans will no longer get to witness ESL's stellar production. ESL's broadcasts have been known for their stellar production quality as well as different stream segments allowing fans an all-round expeirence while viewing Dota 2.

This information becomes available as we head closer to the official roster lock deadline for DPC 2023. Several Dota 2 teams have already announced their Dota 2 rosters for next year including the likes of Team Spirit, OG, LGD and more.

This year's DPC format features shorter regional leagues opening up the possibility for multiple third-party events. In 2022, ESL also hosted the first Dota 2 Major of the year and also a third-party event with ESL One Malaysia 2022.

PGL to host NA and WEU regions

Meanwhile, PGL will host two regional leagues in the upcoming season. After hosting the biggest Dota 2 event last year (TI11), PGL will now host both North America and the Western European Regional League.

PGL's handling of the TI11 production received a lot of criticism from the community as well as talents. This year's TI11 took place across two venues - the first at Suntec Arena featuring a much shorter live audience. The Grand finals weekend saw the usual magnanimous feeling associated with a TI production.

The DPC 2023 format

PGL will host WEU and NA DPC regional Leagues in 2023.
PGL will host WEU and NA DPC regional Leagues in 2023.

The DPC 2023 circuit has a slightly different format featuring shorter leagues and three Dota 2 Majors.

Winter Tour 

  • Open Qualifiers: December 11-13, 2022 
  • Closed Qualifiers: December 14-15, 2022 
  • Division 1 Regional League Tournament: January 9-29, 2023 
  • Division 2 Regional League Tournament: January 30 – February 19, 2023
  • Major Tournament: February 24 – March 5, 2023 

Spring Tour 

  • Open Qualifiers: March 13-15, 2023 
  • Closed Qualifiers: March 16-22, 2023 
  • Division 1 Regional League Tournament: March 13 – April 2, 2023 
  • Division 2 Regional League Tournament: April 3-23, 2023 
  • Major Tournament: April 28 – May 7, 2023 

Summer Tour 

  • Open Qualifiers: May 15-27, 2023 
  • Closed Qualifiers: May 18-24, 2023 
  • Division 1 Regional League Tournament: May 15 – June 4, 2023 
  • Division 2 Regional League Tournament: June 5-25, 2023 
  • Major Tournament: June 30 – July 9th, 2023

Besides the regional Leagues, the DPC 2023 also features three Dota 2 Majors in February, April and June. We still don't know if ESL has any plans of hosting any Dota 2 Major in 2023.

ESL and DreamHack share the same ownership and are part of the ESL Faceit Group. While the tweet reveals ESL will not host a regional league, the status of DreamHack’s participation in DPC 2023 is still unknown.

Esports.gg has reached out to ESL for an official response. We will update this article when more information becomes available. 

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