EPL Masters 1: Play-In is the first stage of qualification for the European Pro League Masters 1. Twelve European teams will compete for 8 slots in the main tournament, EPL Masters 1. The competition will take place from July 7 to 15, 2025 in an online format and will determine who earns a spot in the main stage.
Dates and Venue
All Play-In matches will be held online – this allows teams from different regions of Europe to participate without additional logistics costs. The tournament starts on July 7 and concludes on July 15, 2025.
Tournament Format
EPL Masters 1: Play-In features 12 teams divided into 2 groups of 6 teams each.
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Group stage is played in a round-robin system with a best-of-2 format. Each team plays against every other team.
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The top 4 teams from each group (8 total) advance directly to the main tournament EPL Masters 1.
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Teams that finish 5th–6th in their groups are eliminated.
Thus, Play-In participants compete exclusively for advancement to the main championship – without additional decider matches or playoffs at this stage.
Tournament Participants
All 12 teams received direct invitations from the organizers:
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INNER CIRCLE
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LEVEL UP
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TEAM LYNX
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NEMIGA GAMING
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DANDELIONS
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TEAM SYNTAX
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PUCKCHAMP
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SPIRIT ACADEMY
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ZERO TENACITY
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ILBIRS ESPORTS
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TEAM AION
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TEAM JENZ
Among the participants are both experienced teams and young rosters looking to make a name for themselves on the European scene. Spirit Academy – the youth squad of The International 2025 champions Team Spirit – is considered one of the tournament favorites. Also notable are Dandelions, PuckChamp, and Nemiga Gaming – teams that regularly compete in Europe's top divisions.
Why You Should Follow EPL Masters 1: Play-In
This tournament is a great opportunity to see the new wave of European Dota 2 in action. There are no guaranteed favorites – every match affects slot distribution, and the fight goes down to the last map. For many teams, Play-In is a chance to reach the main stage of EPL Masters and gain recognition on the international level.
Where to Follow the Tournament
Don't miss a single game of EPL Masters 1: Play-In! Full tournament coverage is available on the leading Dota 2 portal – DLTV.
On DLTV you will find:
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Real-time livescore – up-to-the-minute match results without delays;
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Full schedule with accurate start times for each match;
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Detailed statistics for teams and players;
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Official streams and VOD recordings;
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Tournament brackets and updated team rosters.
DLTV is your primary source for professional Dota 2. Follow EPL Masters 1: Play-In with the leading Dota 2 portal!