Game developer Valve has opened the application process for hosting a Dota 2 event post The International 8. Event organisers interested in hosting a major or minor on the Dota 2 Pro Circuit in Fall 2018 have until February 16th, 2018 to send proposals to Valve.
The post that reveals there will be three majors in the Fall Season, which will have Grand Finals falling on the following weekends:
- October 20-21;
- November 17-18;
- December 15-16.
Proposals are asked to include as much information as possible, including location, venue and format amongst other aspects. A difference is that all majors are now required to be 16-team tournaments, whereas the qualification process must still be accepting of each region.
In addition, proposals for minors are requested but the decision will first be made on majors before considering minors.
This season saw a dramatic change in the format of the Dota 2 Pro Circuit, with the introduction of Pro Circuit Points and a move away from Valve-run majors. There was originally 11 majors and minors but instead it has shifted to around 9 majors and 16 minors. It’s a marked increase and as a result there has been no shortage of Dota 2 action for fans to watch this year.
There remains very few organisations with the resources necessary to host a major, but with three tournaments in three months in the Fall Season it’s safe to say that we’re in for another hectic season. Additionally, this provides more time for tournament organisers to plan a tournament although it’s still a fairly short lead time.
One would assume decisions will start to be made by the end of February, but many organisers would ideally want even more time to best prepare an event – especially to accommodate 16 teams.
Esports Insider says: This is definitely communication from Valve that is very far in advance compared to what the public normally hear and/or see. It makes sense not to wait until The International finishes to get our first tournament announcements though – and makes even more sense for the first major to run in October when new rosters are settled.
