eSports

Champions crowned as Riyadh Masters 2023 wraps up Dota 2 action at Gamers8

Published

3 years ago

August 1, 2023

champions-crowned-as-riyadh-masters-2023-wraps-up-dota-2-action-at-gamers8

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Dota 2 Riyadh Masters 2023 competition wrapped up yesterday after 12 days of thrilling matches featuring 20 elite teams vying for victory and taking home a share of the $15,000,000 prize pool. As one of the premier tournaments in the Dota 2 calendar, Riyadh Masters 2023 ran the globe’s greatest teams through a round-robin group stage and then double-elimination playoffs in the popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA).

Among the teams competing for the top prize was Dota 2 powerhouse Team OG, the first team in Dota 2 history to win four Dota Major Championships. Team Tundra Esports, reigning champions of Dota’s iconic “The International” tournament, also headed into the 2023 Masters amongst the favorites. Of course, there could only be one winner, and this achievement went to Team Spirit, who triumphed in the final, beating Team Liquid in an encounter for the ages.

The $15,000,000 prize pool is the largest available of any Dota 2 competition this season, and the action did not disappoint, with the stakes being so high. Over 120,000 fans tuned in to the official broadcast on Twitch to witness the epic showdown. Team Spirit reached the Grand Final for the second year in a row, knocking out the season’s most dominant performer, Team Gaimin Gladiators, along the way and beating Team Liquid 2-1 in the upper-bracket final as the team looked to banish last years demons and finish in first place rather than second. Team Liquid earned a shot at their redemption by crushing Team Talon 2-0 in the lower bracket final. But the result of this eagerly anticipated rematch in the five-game Grand Final went to Team Spirit, an unassailable 3-1. As champions, Team Spirit left Gamers8 and Boulevard Riyadh City $5,000,000 richer, the runners-up collecting $2,500,000 from the overall prize pool.

Faisal bin Homran, Chief Esports Officer at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “The Dota 2 Riyadh Masters tournament at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes has captured the imagination of the thousands in attendance at Boulevard Riyadh City’s Esports Arena and the tens of millions watching avidly across the globe. Since July 19th, the global gaming and esports scene has been captivated by the exploits of the best Dota 2 teams and players in the world. Competing for a $15 million prize pool – the biggest third-party prize pool for a tournament ever – the action has been even more dramatic than anticipated and epitomizes the level of standard for which Gamers8 has become renowned. We congratulate Team Spirit on their success and thank all the teams, players, fans, sponsors, and partners at the Dota 2 Riyadh Masters for being part of a special moment in Saudi Arabian gaming history.”

Although the Riyadh Masters may have finished, there’s plenty more action on offer as part of Gamers8: The Land of Heroes in its 2023 edition. Esports athletes from around the world are competing in a 12-tournament lineup with a prize pool of $45 million to the soundtrack of musical superstars like Imagine Dragons, Alan Walker, and Metro Boomin’, who are putting on a show for the crowds at Gamers8. The festival, the world’s largest for gaming and esports, has been full of action since it kicked off in July, with seismic impacts such as Pakistan winning the Nations Cup in Tekken against a well-favored Korean team. Among the other titles taking center stage at Gamers8’s home in Boulevard Riyadh City are Rocket League, PUBG Mobile, FIFA, and Counterstrike.

Fans can enjoy further exciting events as the festival continues through August 27th, following which the Gamers8 festival will conclude with a gaming and esports forum. Known as the ‘Next World Forum,’ it brings together sector leaders and experts from around the world to Saudi Arabia. Gamers8 is playing a key role in developing the grassroots esports scene in Saudi Arabia and providing opportunities for esports athletes around the world. Over 67% of Saudi citizens are gamers, and multiple world champions have come from the Kingdom already to win on the world’s largest stages.

BLAST

Team Vitality sweeps NAVI 3-0 to win BLAST Rivals Spring 2026

Published

4 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

team-vitality-sweeps-navi-3-0-to-win-blast-rivals-spring-2026

Team Vitality won BLAST Rivals Spring 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas, defeating Natus Vincere 3-0 in the Counter-Strike 2 grand final, according to the organisation’s announcement.

BLAST Rivals Spring 2026 featured eight teams and a $350,000 prize pool. Vitality opened with a 2-1 win over FUT Esports, then beat G2 2-1 in the group winner’s match to book a semifinal spot.

In the semifinals, Vitality moved past GamerLegion 2-0 to reach the final, where it completed a clean sweep of NAVI.

Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut was named tournament MVP. Vitality also positioned the result as its fifth title of the season and noted it followed its IEM Rio victory and a record of two ESL Grand Slam titles.

The post Team Vitality sweeps NAVI 3-0 to win BLAST Rivals Spring 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

blacklyte

Team Vitality names Blacklyte as new gaming chair partner

Published

4 days ago

April 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

team-vitality-names-blacklyte-as-new-gaming-chair-partner

Team Vitality has partnered with Blacklyte as its new gaming chair partner, with a rollout planned across the organisation’s teams and physical locations.

Under the agreement, Blacklyte chairs and desks will be deployed across Team Vitality rosters including CS2, Rocket League, VALORANT, LEC, LFL, Rising Bees, Tekken 8, Teamfight Tactics, and Age of Empires II. The equipment will also be installed at facilities including the club’s Paris headquarters (V.Hive), its locations at the Stade de France, and in Berlin.

The companies said the partnership will include co-design work on a “new generation of chairs and desks” aimed at improving playing environments. A co-branded Blacklyte x Team Vitality product line is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026.

“We are very happy to collaborate with Blacklyte and welcome them to Team Vitality’s partner family. This partnership comes at a historic time for the club on Counter-Strike, alongside the arrival of new flagship rosters, and more broadly reflects our ambition to keep raising our standards in both performance and innovation. Together, we are building environments that enable our players to fully express their potential at the highest level,” explains Vas Roberts, Co-CEO of Team Vitality.

“Team Vitality is one of the most respected names in global esports, and we are excited to collaborate to create this new era of gaming furniture. We will develop a new gaming ecosystem that empowers Team Vitality athletes to train in setups that enhance their playstyles while being supported and stylish,” says Blacklyte CEO Alex Liu. “Blacklyte products have always been at the forefront of redefining performance equipment in esports, and this partnership is a natural step to continue that mission.”

The post Team Vitality names Blacklyte as new gaming chair partner appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

eSports

Team Vitality partners with Team Havok to expand in Fortnite

Published

7 days ago

April 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

team-vitality-partners-with-team-havok-to-expand-in-fortnite

Team Vitality has signed a strategic partnership with French Fortnite esports club Team Havok, expanding its footprint in the title as part of its broader diversification strategy. The announcement was made this weekend.

Under the deal, Team Havok will compete as “Team Havok by Vitality” and wear a co-branded jersey featuring Team Vitality’s logo. Team Vitality said the partnership is designed to combine its performance and organisational support with Team Havok’s Fortnite competitive presence.

Team Havok’s recent results cited by the organisations include winning European Major 2 in 2025, finishing runner-up at the World Championship, and ranking as the second-best European team. The duo Tjino and PabloWingu have qualified for this summer’s Esports World Cup and will compete in Team Vitality’s black and yellow colours.

Team Vitality also positioned the partnership as a fan development play in France via co-streaming, content creation, and influencer-led activations. Team Havok co-founders and streamers ZetFar and WaZz were highlighted for their reach with younger audiences.

The organisation said the tie-up follows prior structural collaborations including PSG Esports and Bigetron Esports, and could expand into Fortnite map development, exclusive merchandising, and influencer marketing. “This partnership with Team Havok reflects our ambition to work with the best in order to continue growing Team Vitality. Their performance, creativity, and ability to engage the French community make them an ideal partner,” said Fabien “Neo” Devide, President and Co-founder of Team Vitality. “We are incredibly proud to join Team Vitality. This collaboration with such a prestigious organisation marks a new milestone in the story we are building with our community,” said Grimz, caster at Team Havok.

The post Team Vitality partners with Team Havok to expand in Fortnite appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.