BOOM Esports exits Dota 2 after eight-year run

One of Southeast Asia's most storied Dota 2 organisations has come to the end of its road.

BOOM Esports has officially shut down its Dota 2 division, marking a bittersweet conclusion to an eight-year journey that cemented its legacy as a regional powerhouse and talent incubator.

The rise and fall of a regional powerhouse

Founded in 2017 with a full Indonesian roster, BOOM Esports evolved over the years into a true Southeast Asian contender. Their numerous rosters earned over $1.6 million in prize money and in 2022, BOOM Esports engraved its name into regional history with a landmark victory at the 2022 Gamers Galaxy Invitational Series in Dubai, where it defeated the eventual The International 2022 champions, Tundra Esports, in the grand finals.

Beyond trophies, BOOM's legacy is defined by the world-class talent it nurtured. The organisation served as a launch pad for players like Rafli "Mikoto" Rahman and Saieful "Fbz" Ilham, who later played for tier one teams. Pillars of the 2022 roster, Erin "Yopaj" Ferrer and Andrei "skem" Ong, continue to perform on the international stage with OG's latest roster.

Despite its storied past, the team's recent competitive decline proved insurmountable. BOOM failed to qualify for any major LAN tournaments throughout 2024 and 2025. Even its second appearance at The International in 2025 ended in a last-place finish. The organisation found itself consistently locked out of reliable qualification slots, first by regional rival Talon Esports and later by the rising OG.

Thank you to every player who wore the BOOM jersey with pride. Thank you to the Hungry Beast for standing beside us through every high and every low. This legacy will forever be part of who we are - BOOM Esports

The closure signals a shift for the Indonesian esports scene. While BOOM Esports steps away from Dota 2, the legacy of its eight-year campaign. Its historic upset over Tundra, its cultivation of regional stars, and its enduring presence as a SEA contender, will remain a definitive chapter in the region's competitive history.