The tournament is a collaboration between Resorts World Genting and ESL, the world’s largest eSports company.
It will see 16 of the world’s best Dota 2 video game teams compete for a prize pool of US$400,000 (RM1.6 million), as well as 400 qualifying points, which will help successful teams on their path to qualifying for The International 2018 — Dota 2’s world championship.
ESL and Resorts World Genting have entered a partnership to help expand the eSports scene in Southeast Asia. This also means that the tournament will continue to be held in Genting for the foreseeable future.
Among the most notable teams taking part in ESL One Genting 2018 are Team Secret, ranked as the world’s number one, reigning world champion Team Liquid, and former world champions Evil Geniuses, Newbee and Natus Vincere.
Four Malaysian players will take to the Genting stage in front of their home supporters — Chai “Mushi” Yee Fung and Kam “Moon” Boon Seng of Mineski, Tue “ah fu” Soon Chuan of LGD.Forever Young, and Zheng “MidOne” Yeik Nai of Team Secret.
Speaking to The Star, Resorts World Genting promotions and entertainment vice-president Kevin Tann said eSports is recognised as the next big thing in marketing and the size of the global sports audience has rapidly grown.
“Through ESL One Genting, we hope to connect with eSports fans in a way that delivers added value to their experience and to the sport.”
The response to this year’s tournament thus far has been tremendous, with tickets for the main event days almost sold out.
Last year, ESL One Genting 2017 was attended by more than 5,000 fans on each of the three main event days. The tournament was also watched by over 11 million viewers online.
ESL One Genting 2017 was also awarded the title of best eSports event of the year at the SPIA Asia event.
ESL One Genting 2018 will run from tomorrow until Jan 28, 2018.