1Win Essence II: Survival Guide: Teams, format, schedule, prize pool

With just over two weeks remaining until The International 2026, there are few better opportunities for teams to fine-tune their game than 1win Essence II . Running from July 30 to August 5, the online event brings together 10 teams, nine of which have already secured their tickets to Shanghai, making it one of the final proving grounds before Dota 2's biggest tournament begins.

While the $200,000 prize pool is certainly worth fighting for, the bigger prize may be momentum. With drafting ideas still evolving and teams looking to iron out lingering weaknesses, every series offers a chance to build confidence or expose cracks before TI. The only exception is MOUZ, who missed out on qualification and will instead be looking to end their season on a high.

The tournament is also guaranteed to crown a new champion. PARIVISION, who lifted the inaugural 1win Essence trophy, are absent this time around, leaving the door wide open for another contender to etch its name into the event's history.

One of the more intriguing storylines surrounds LGD Gaming, who will simultaneously compete at the Games of the Future LAN in Astana while also playing the online 1win Essence. Balancing two Tier 1 events at once is no small feat, though it is not entirely unprecedented in Dota 2, with teams having previously split their focus across overlapping tournaments.

How LGD manages the logistical and competitive challenge could become one of the week's most fascinating subplots.

The action kicks off with 1win taking on Nigma Galaxy, Thursday, July 30th at 13:00 CEST.

1win Teams

• 1w Team Esports
• BetBoom Team
• GamerLegion
• LGD Gaming
• MOUZ
• Nigma Galaxy
• OG
• Team Falcons
• Team Liquid
• ViCi Gaming

1win Groups

Group A

Group B

1win Format

Group Stage

• July 30th - August 2nd
• Two single round-robin groups of five teams each
• All matches are Bo2
• 2–0 awards winner 2 points
• 1–1 awards both teams 1 point
• Top two teams from each group proceed to the Upper Bracket of the Playoffs
• 3rd and 4th place teams from each group proceed to the Lower Bracket of the Playoffs
• Remaining team from each group is eliminated

Playoffs

• August 3rd-5th
• Double-elimination bracket
• All matches are Bo3
• Grand Final is Bo5

1win Prize Pool

The $200,000 prize pool will be split as below.

• 1st place $100,000
• 2nd place $50,000
• 3rd place $22,500
• 4th place $12,500
• 5-6th place $5,000
• 7-8th place $2,500