NAVI among five teams to lock upper bracket playoffs as EWC pressure mounts at DreamLeague Season 29

With one day left in the group stage, five teams have already secured their place in the upper bracket playoffs at DreamLeague Season 29. For some, it’s about momentum and trophies. For others, it could mean the difference between a direct invitation to the 2026 Esports World Cup — or missing out entirely.

So far, PARIVISION, Team Liquid, Team Spirit, NAVI, and Team Falcons have all secured upper bracket playoff spots, guaranteeing themselves a strong position heading into the final stage of the tournament.

But at DreamLeague Season 29, the stakes go beyond the trophy itself.

• Read DreamLeague Season 29: The last chance for an EWC 2026 direct invite

Spirit rise again at DreamLeague Season 29

Among the playoff teams, Team Spirit have looked particularly terrifying.

The roster has been playing some of its best Dota in months, and that alone is significant considering how inconsistent Team Spirit had looked earlier in the season. With the Esports World Cup (which they had already secured a direct invite as defending champions) and The International approaching, the organization made a risky decision to shake things up by bringing in Alexey “not me” Kosmynin — a player with almost no Tier 1 experience.

What makes the change so interesting, however, is that the revival doesn’t feel centered on the newcomer alone. Instead, the move seems to have reignited the entire roster. The veteran core suddenly looks sharper, more confident, and far closer to the dominant Team Spirit fans had come to expect in previous eras. Their teamfighting has been nothing short of thrilling, their individual performances stronger, and most importantly, they once again look like a team capable of taking over games instead of merely surviving them.

• Read Team Spirit’s new-member roster begins to take shape

More than a playoff spot

For the remaining qualified teams, every series still carries enormous weight.

Team Liquid and Team Falcons entered DreamLeague Season 29 were already sitting within realistic EPT qualification range, meaning a solid tournament finish could have comfortably secured their EWC invitations. Their upper bracket qualification pushes them right into that goal and finally awarded them their spot.

But perhaps no result matters more than NAVI’s.

Coming into the event, Natus Vincere sat just outside the EPT threshold needed for a direct invite to the Esports World Cup. That made their performance at DreamLeague Season 29 especially important — and securing an upper bracket playoff spot has completely changed the stakes around their run. Rather than simply hoping to stay competitive against the top teams, NAVI now find themselves within reach of one of the biggest objectives of the season.

And with playoffs still ahead, they may not be finished climbing.

One day remains in groupstage of DreamLeague Season 29

The group stage still has unfinished business.

Three more teams will join the upper bracket playoffs by the end of the final day, while four others will begin their playoff runs from the lower bracket. Four teams, meanwhile, will see their DreamLeague Season 29 journey — and perhaps EWC dreams — end before the main stage even begins.

• Read DreamLeague Season 29 survival guide: Teams, format, schedule, prize pool

By Tuesday, the bracket will be complete.

DreamLeague Season 29 Playoffs

• May 19-24th
• Double-elimination bracket
• All matches are Bo3
• Grand Final is Bo5

DreamLeague Sesaon 29 Prize Pool

The $1,000,000 prize pool will be split as below. Note that just like previously, $750,000 are awarded as Prize Money while $250,000 USD are awarded as Club Reward. The 28,300 EPT Points will be spread among the participants.

• 1st place $250,000/$40,000/ 6,000 base EPT points
• 2nd place $100,000/$30,000/5,000 base EPT points
• 3rd place $80,000/$25,000/4,000 base EPT points
• 4th place $60,000/$20,000/3,200 base EPT points
• 5-6th place $45,000/$15,000/2,200 base EPT points
• 7-8th place $27,000/$12,500/1000 base EPT points
• 9-12th place $20,000/$10,000/375 total EPT points
• 13-14th place $12,500/$10,000/140 total EPT points
• 15-16th place $10,000/$10,000/60 total EPT points