The tournament will likely be the last international gauntlet before TI10 arrives.
While the postponement of TI10 had many fans worried about how to fill the void, there hasn't been any shortage of Dota 2 action. Between the BTS Pro Series, ESL One Summer and now Fall, and i-League, we've no doubt had our fill. Thankfully though, that won't be changing anytime soon. OGA has just announced the SAPPHIRE OGA Dota PIT Invitational, an 8 team tournament set for September 6th to 10th.
The invited teams will be competing for a total prize pool of $275,000, with the champion taking home $114,500 for themselves. The eight teams attending the Dota PIT Invitational are as follows:
- Fnatic (SEA) - The TI10 SEA Qualifier winners who went toe-to-toe with fan favourites TNC.
- SG Esports (SA) - The underdogs from South-America looking to test themselves on an international scale after a unconvincing showing at ESL One Fall.
- PSG.LGD (China) - The front-runners of the Chinese Dota 2 scene, who have dominated with their creative yet seemingly effortless playstyle.
- T1 (SEA) - The current kings of the SEA region and ESL One Summer champions. A dangerous blend of young talent paired with experience and maturity.
- Tundra (EU) - A formidable squad who have really come into form in the recent season. Narrowly missed TI10 qualification after losing to OG in the Qualifier Grand Finals.
- Team Spirit (CIS) - The young guns of CIS, who have breathed hope for a new age of CIS Dota right behind VP.
- Thunder Predator (SA) - The fiery squad who took the Singapore Major by storm. Since then, they've not been able to recreate that momentum, but will be looking to going into TI10.
- Undying (NA) - The perennial third place of NA behind Quincy Crew and EG. With their NA counterparts absent, they will look to show the strength of the NA brand of Dota.
Related articles
What is the format of OGA Dota PIT Invitational?
Similarly to the Dota PIT CN Season 5 that took place earlier this month, the event will be split into two stages. The Group Stage will feature two groups of four teams, facing off in a single round-robin format. From there, the top 3 teams from each group move on to the Playoffs.
In the playoffs, the remaining squads will do battle in a double-elimination bracket, with seeding based on group placements. All matches in the tournament will be best-of-threes, except for the Grand Final which will be a best-of-five.
With 7/8 of the teams invited TI-qualified, this will likely be their last shot at international competition before TI10. Furthermore, this will only be the second major event played on the new patch 7.30. All in all, this one's gonna be a banger.
For more Dota 2 news, updates and content, stay tuned to esports.gg.
