Tournament Spotlight: 1win Series Dota 2 Fall wrap-up and winner Q&A

On Sunday, a new 1win Series victor was crowned as the action came to an end in the 1win Series Dota 2 Fall, Esports Insider’s coverage of which is supported by 1win.

The Fall tournament was the third edition of the 1win Series Dota 2 to be won by a different team. We talked to the victors, and the organisers, to find out more.

Organised by bookmaker 1win’s esports arm 1win Esports, the 1win Series Dota 2 Fall saw a $100,000 (~£79,000 ) prize pool for the third edition in a row. In total, eight teams invited by 1win Esports battled it out through a modified GSL group stage format leading into a single elimination playoff bracket.

In a dominant performance, Team Liquid — arguably the favourites going in — dropped just one game across the entire tournament, and achieved a convincing 3-0 sweep in the Grand Final against Team Spirit. Team Spirit had won the previous 1win event, the 1win Series Dota 2 Summer, but this result was hardly a surprise. Team Liquid after all are the reigning champions of The International, the biggest Dota 2 event of the year.

In total, Team Liquid took home a $50,000 (~£39,600) share of the total prize pool — and continues to cement its legacy as one of the most formidable European Dota 2 teams.

Speaking on the importance of having tournament series like 1win Series Dota 2, Team Liquid’s Australian Dota 2 coach Damien ‘kpii’ Chok told Esports Insider that it helps ensure a healthy ecosystem. 

“For players it opens up opportunities for a wider range of divisions, giving a realistic means for people to climb and work towards tier one events. For me I always enjoy having a lot of tournaments to go to — it’s just really fun. For spectators, similarly it is just more content to enjoy. 

“Lastly for organisers it is important that there is competition in the market so they are always improving their production for the consumers, it seems healthy, and having many different tournaments throughout the year helps that. But to me, prize pool is probably the bigger factor.”

As 2024 wraps up, 1win Esports is already looking to 2025. The company told Esports Insider that its tournament organisation team is already planning events for next year. 1win Esports also said there is a plan in place to expand into other disciplines outside of Dota 2, potentially in 2025.

For now, however, Team Liquid can revel in the fact the organisation will be the reigning champions of the 1win Series going into 2025.

“I am still very grateful to be in this team, it’s really been an eye-opener,” Chok continued. “I will keep learning as much as I can from them (in and outside the game) and will keep improving the team in the most effective and efficient way. This time I will try to win Riyadh as well as The International 14.”