Path to BLAST Slam VI in Malta revealed

BLAST is making Malta its new home away from home, thanks to a three-year partnership with the Maltese government.

According to the official announcement made earlier this year, the multi-year partnership with GamingMalta aims to create a major esports hub on the island, and it will initially host nine major international esports tournaments in Malta, featuring some of the most prestigious competitions from BLAST’s global calendar, including the BLAST Premier and BLAST Slam circuits.

For Dota 2, it means that the 2026 Slam events will be hosted in Malta at BLAST’s permanent esports broadcasting facility, “equipped with cutting edge technology that will span over 1,000m.”

This partnership with BLAST - a premier global esports entertainment company - aligns perfectly with the Government of Malta’s Vision 2050, which places digital innovation, youth engagement, and the creative economy at the heart of our national strategy. It reflects our ongoing commitment to positioning Malta as a hub for future-facing industries, while also creating real opportunities for our young people through education, careers, and international exposure. By investing in strategic collaborations like this, we continue to build an economy that is innovative, resilient, and globally relevant - Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy, Enterprise & Strategic Projects for Malta

BLAST Slam VI will be the first in the circuit series to head to the island. The $1,000,000 tournament is also set to be the first LAN of the new year. It will unfold in a two-week format, February 3-15, culminating in a LAN playoff in Malta with a live studio audience. Here’s everything you need to know about the teams, qualifiers, and schedule.

The invited elite: Who is already in?

Slam VI continues BLAST’s tradition of mixing direct invites with regional qualifiers. Eight teams have their slots secured for BLAST Slam VI based on their performances in previous Slam events:

• Tundra (Slam IV)
• Team Falcons (Slam IV)
• MOUZ (Slam IV)
• HEROIC (Slam IV)

These four will be joined by the teams that finish in the top four at the upcoming BLAST Slam V. Additionally, three more slots, one per region —Europe, China, and Southeast Asia —will be filled through regional qualifiers.

BALST Slam VI qualifiers gauntlet

Open Qualifiers (January 2-3, 2026)

• Two open qualifiers per region (Europe, China, SEA)
• Single-elimination format
• BO1 initial matches, BO3 semifinals and beyond
• Both grand finalists from each open qualifier advance to the Closed Qualifier

Closed Qualifiers (January 4-5, 2026)

• 8-team single-elimination bracket per region
• Features 4 open qualifier teams + 4 invited teams
• All matches are BO3
• Winning team from each region secures a spot at BLAST Slam VI

The Americas region will receive one direct invite, rounding out the 12-team field.

BLAST Slam VI dates and format

Week 1 - Online: Groups and Play-Ins

• February 3 - 8
• Talent on-site in Malta, with teams playing online
• Group Stage (BO1) + Play-ins (BO3)

Week 2 - Studio LAN: Playoffs

• February 13 - 15
• Studio audience in Malta
• Playoffs played on LAN - quarter and semi-finals are BO3, with the grand final being a BO5.

As the Dota 2 world looks toward the new year, all eyes will be on the upcoming Blast Slam V and the January qualifiers to see which teams will earn their shot at Slam glory in the Mediterranean.