Just when we thought the Dota 2 competition couldn’t get any bigger this year, the Qatar Esports Federation has announced that they are bringing the heat of professional Dota to the country with the help of Peruvian esports organizer, Electronic Sports Broadcasting.
According to official sources, QESF and ESB have inked a deal to establish a thrilling Dota 2 league in Qatar, featuring three events annually, commencing in early April 2024. With an impressive combined prize pool of $2.6 million, the league promises to ignite the competitive spirit within the esports community.
Given ESB’s proven track record as the organizer of the Dota 2 Pro Circuit in South America last year, the partnership is poised to elevate Qatar’s esports landscape to new heights.
The collaboration between QESF and ESB aims to engage international media and brands, targeting a dynamic and tech-savvy audience while fostering the burgeoning video gaming market in Qatar. The latter expressed excitement at the prospect, highlighting Qatar’s global exposure during the 2022 FIFA World Cup as a catalyst for esports growth.
“There is a big space in the Dota 2 and esports scene for innovation and doing great things for the community, not only at the top level of competitive esports, but also at a regional and amateur level,” said Gonzalo Velasco, CEO of ESB. “The Qatar experience of hosting worldwide top sports events like the FIFA World Cup in 2022, the Asian Football Cup in 2023, and many others, added to its ideal location as a transit hub and amazing infrastructure, places the country as an ideal candidate for setting up our global hub.”
Qatar’s ambition to emerge as a leading esports destination mirrors the efforts of its regional rival, Saudi Arabia, in recent years. Faisal Khalid, General Secretary of QESF, affirmed the organization’s commitment to expanding the esports ecosystem, signaling the beginning of a transformative journey with ESB.
The partnership between QESF and ESB also promises thrilling opportunities for amateur gamers, with LAN tournaments integrated into each event. With the Esports World Cup 2024 set to captivate audiences in Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s emergence as a formidable esports contender, MENA is poised to redefine viewership standards across the globe.