Major League Gaming have just gone public with their announcement of the inclusion of Dota 2 as part of the MLG Pro Circuit for 2014, including MLG Anaheim, to be held on June 20th-22nd. Additionally MLG intend to start production of a weekly programming set to air on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, bringing further attention to Dota 2 in North America.
With the success of MLG's NA Dota 2 League and the upcoming Fall Invitational, to be held on October 18th, MLG has decided to invest further into Dota 2 via the inclusion of Dota 2 in the 2014 Pro Circuit, with a total of $210,000 alotted to for prizemoney of which a total of $150,000 will be put towards the Circuit Championships, to be played at MLG Anaheim in June of 2014, from the 20th to the 22nd.
Teams will earn their spot for the 2014 Championship either by participating in the Online Qualifiers or by being among what is phrased as the top four NA teams at MLG Columbus, which will be played next month from the 22nd to the 24th in Columbus, Ohio. If this is to be read literally then this would imply that Evil Geniuses, Team Liquid, Team Dignitas and one more will likely have a direct berth into the Pro Circuit.
Up next for MLG will as said be Columbus, where we will see top North American talent take on the likes of Alliance, Na`Vi, DK, Fnatic and RattleSnake.Int. In an effort to accomodate the wishes of the Dota 2 community, MLG worked hard to not only bring in DK to this tournament but also to expand their original intended pool of teams in order to accomodate the communities wishes to see RattleSnake.Int take part in this tournament as well.
Structure of upcoming MLG NA Dota 2 League
Pre-Season – League Qualification:
Fall Ladder/Bracket
• Ladder Dates = November 1 – December 19, 2013
• Bracket Teams = Top 16 on December 19, 2013
• Bracket Date = December 21, 2013
• Prizes = $5,000
• Pro Points = 5000 Series
Online Tournaments
• Tournament Dates = November 9, November 16, November 30, December 7, December 14
• Entry = 10 credits per player ($7.50)
• Prizes = 50% of Entry Fees
• Pro Points = 2000 Series
League Play Season 1
• Dates = January 6 – February 1, 2014
• Invites = 4 NA Teams from the MLG Championship in Columbus, November 22-24 and the top four Pro Points Teams on December 22
• Format = Round Robin Regular Season, 4-Team Single Elim Playoffs
• Prizes = $15,000
• Pro Points = TBD
Qualification for Season 2
• Dates = January 27 – February 5, 2014
• Invites = Season 1 Playoff Teams auto-qualify, Season 1’s 5th-8th Place Teams compete in Up/Down Matches against the Top 8 Season 1 Pro Points Teams
• Format = Single Elimination
League Play Season 2
• Dates = February 10 – March 8, 2014
• Invites = 4 Season 1 Playoff Teams and 4 Season 1 Qualifying Teams
• Format = Round Robin Regular Season and 4-Team Single Elim Playoffs
• Prizes = $15,000
• Pro Points = TBD
Qualification for Season 3
• Dates = March 3 – March 12, 2014
• Invites = Season 2 Playoff Teams auto-qualify and Season 2’s 5th-8th Place Teams compete in Up/Down Matches against the Top 8 Season 2 Pro Points Teams
• Format = Single Elimination
League Play Season 3
• Dates = March 17 – April 12, 2014
• Invites = 4 Season 2 Playoff Teams and 4 Season 2 Qualifying Teams
• Format = Round Robin Regular Season and 4-Team Single Elim Playoffs
• Prizes = $15,000
• Pro Points = TBD
Qualification for Season 4
• Dates = April 7 – April 16, 2014
• Invites = Season 3 Playoff Teams auto-qualify and Season 3’s 5th-8th Place Teams compete in Up/Down Matches against the Top 8 Season 3 Pro Points Teams
• Format = Single Elimination
League Play Season 4
• Dates = April 21 – May 17, 2014
• Invites = 4 Season 3 Playoff Teams and 4 Season 3 Qualifying Teams
• Format = Round Robin Regular Season and 4-Team Single Elim Playoffs
• Prizes = $15,000
• Pro Points = TBD
Qualification for Season 5 & Anaheim
• Dates = May 12 – May 21, 2014
• Invites = Season 4 Playoff Teams auto-qualify and Season 4’s 5th-8th Place Teams compete in Up/Down Matches against the Top 8 Season 4 Pro Points Teams
• Format = Single Elimination
MLG Championship - Anaheim, CA
• Dates = June 20-22, 2014
• Invites = Eight teams from League Play will compete with eight International teams
• Prizes = $150,000
Picture of MLG Anaheim taken from Forbes.com.
