paiN Gaming has announced its return to Dota 2 esports with the signing of the Peru Rejects roster.
The deal marks the first time in six years that the Brazilian esports organisation will compete in Valve’s MOBA title.
Revealed on February 3rd, the roster will make its debut under the paiN Gaming banner at DreamLeague Season 28, taking place from February 16th to March 1st.
During its time competing as Peru Rejects, the roster cemented its place as one of South America’s top sides. In January, it secured qualification for DreamLeague Season 28 and ESL One Birmingham, in addition to winning the second South American series of CCT Season 2.
“We promised that we would return. It took time, but now we’re back to what made us paiN!” the wrote the organisation stated on X (Twitter). “This 100% Peruvian roster blends the organisation that was born from Dota with the best players from the Americas.”
paiN Gaming is no stranger to Dota 2 esports. The organisation first fielded a roster in the title in 2010, competing in regional and international events for the next decade. In 2020, it disbanded its roster after struggling to qualify for Tier 1 tournaments.
paiN Gaming in 2026
2026 has been a year of turbulence for paiN Gaming as it continues to compete across Counter-Strike and League of Legends. On January 9th, the organisation added Vinicius ‘vsm‘ Moreira and Guilherme ‘piriajr‘ Barbosa to its starting CS2 lineup with the aim to build on a slow start to the season.
Elsewhere, the organisation removed Alexandre ‘TitaN‘ Lima from its League of Legends roster following allegations of sexual harassment.
A return to Dota 2 esports means paiN Gaming will participate across three high-profile esports titles regionally and internationally. Having achieved plenty of success over the past 16 years, it will be interesting to see whether its new roster can once again make an impact on the big stages.
