BLAST Slam V’s Group Stage has concluded, with six of the world’s prime Dota 2 groups set to do battle in Chengdu, China, within the Playoffs.
BLAST’s last Dota 2 occasion of the yr has seen fascinating developments because it started on November twenty fifth, 2025. Whereas organisations like Crew Falcons have continued to dominate, areas like China have been wiped from the competitors.
From champions to underdogs, Esports Insider breaks down what to anticipate from BLAST Slam V’s Playoffs to see which squad will come out victorious.
Which Groups Have Certified for BLAST Slam V?
The most effective gamers within the match will compete from December fifth to seventh, 2025 to safe the lion’s share of a $1m (~£757,000) prize pool. These are the entire groups which have certified for the BLAST Slam V Playoffs:
- Crew Falcons
- Tundra Esports
- OG Esports
- Crew Yandex
- NAVI
- MOUZ
China Falling Behind
One of many extra surprising developments that occurred throughout the occasion is that not a single Chinese language staff was capable of qualify for the Playoffs regardless of competing on residence turf.
This included Yakult Brothers, winners of the BLAST Slam IV China Closed Qualifier, which positioned eleventh out of 12 groups within the Group Stage. Regardless of defeating Filipino organisation Execration within the Final Probability Playoff, it was knocked out by MOUZ after dropping 1-2 within the Play-In.
Xtreme Gaming is one other Chinese language staff that positioned ninth within the Group Stage, dropping to groups reminiscent of MOUZ, OG Esports and Tundra Esports. It left the competitors after dropping 1-2 to Crew Yandex throughout the Play-In.
Crew Tidebound is among the strongest Chinese language groups within the scene. Previously, it gained Clavision Masters 2025 Snow-Ruyi by defeating rosters reminiscent of Tundra Esports, BetBoom Crew, and Gaimin Gladiators. Nonetheless, it noticed a disappointing finish to the competitors after being knocked out by NAVI throughout the Play-In.
Are Crew Falcons Above the Competitors?
One of many frontrunners of the competitors is Crew Falcons. The squad has dominated BLAST Slam V to date, topping the Group Stage with a 10-1 win/loss ratio. Crew Falcons is seeded within the Semi-finals, going through the winner of the Quarter-finals for a spot within the Grand Finals.
Its efficiency within the competitors comes as no shock to followers and commentators, as 2025 has been the yr of the falcon. Earlier than coming into the newest BLAST competitors, Crew Falcons made historical past after successful The Internationals 2025, securing the lion’s share of a $2.7m (£1.98m) prize pool.
In 2025, Crew Falcons achieved notable milestones, together with inserting first in FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2 after successful 3-1 towards BetBoom Crew, and ending as runner-up within the Esports World Cup Dota 2 match.
The strain is on as Crew Falcons enters the Playoffs as one of many prime groups to beat, however solely time will inform whether or not it would proceed its successful streak or fall quick.
A Nearer Take a look at The Groups
London-based organisation Tundra Esports has additionally certified for the Playoffs. That is an anticipated outcome contemplating the staff has gained a number of BLAST Slam tournaments this yr. The organisation has proven no indicators of slowing down to date, inserting runner-up within the Group Stage with a 10-1 win-loss ratio, and maybe stands the very best likelihood of taking down Crew Falcons.
The Quarter-finals will see 4 contenders and potential darkish horses battle for a spot within the Semi-finals. OG Esports is ready to play towards Crew Yandex, a newcomer that entered the scene earlier this yr after buying Cyber Goose, the runner-up of The Worldwide Jap Europe Closed Qualifier.
NAVI has additionally efficiently certified for the Playoffs and can compete towards MOUZ within the Playoffs. MOUZ can be a robust contender within the scene, having lately gained PGL Wallachia Season 6, establishing itself as one of many prime groups in Europe. Each organisations will compete within the hopes of going through Tundra Esports within the Semi-finals.
What Comes Subsequent?
Groups might be competing from December fifth to seventh, 2025, not just for the biggest share of the prize pool, but in addition for considered one of three qualification spots to BLAST Slam VI in Malta.
The following BLAST Slam match is scheduled to run from February third to fifteenth, 2026, the place the highest 12 groups from Blast Slam IV, V, and regional qualifiers will as soon as once more face off.
Forward of the subsequent BLAST Slam, DreamLeague Season 27 will run from December tenth to twenty first to kickstart the ESL Professional Tour 2025/2026 season.
