BLAST Slam VIII Preview: Dota 2's First Tier 1 Event After TI 2026 Starts on 29 September
Sixteen teams, including TI champions Team Spirit, begin BLAST Slam VIII on 29 Sept, with LAN playoffs in Malta and US$750,000 on offer.
Top-level Dota 2 is back on Tuesday. BLAST Slam VIII begins on 29 September, and it is the first Tier 1 tournament since The International 2026. Many teams have changed their rosters since TI, so this is the first real look at how the new lineups compare.
Tournament essentials
- Dates: 29 September – 11 October 2026
- Format: Online group stage, then LAN playoffs at BLAST Arena Studios in Malta (8–11 October)
- Prize pool: US$750,000, of which US$200,000 goes to the winner
- Teams: 16, in four groups of four
The groups
- Group A: Level UP, LGD Gaming, PARIVISION, Xtreme Gaming
- Group B: 1w Team, Natus Vincere, Team Nemesis, Team Spirit
- Group C: BetBoom Team, MOUZ, OG, Team Yandex
- Group D: Aurora Gaming, GamerLegion, Team Liquid, Yakult Brothers
How the format works
BLAST has split the event into several stages. According to Natus Vincere's tournament notes, each group is a best-of-three GSL bracket.
- Group winners go to the Seeding Matches, which decide playoff positions.
- Second-placed teams get another try in the Last Chance stage.
- Everyone else is eliminated after the groups.
- Playoffs are double elimination. Every series is best-of-three except the grand final, which is best-of-five.
Groups to watch
Group B looks like the hardest group. Team Spirit are the reigning International champions, and they have made roster changes since TI. Natus Vincere start against 1w Team at 15:00 UTC (11pm Malaysia time) on the opening day. NAVI beat 1w 2-1 when the teams met in the PGL Wallachia Season 9 group stage. Later in that event, NAVI also beat Team Nemesis 2-1 in the playoffs, so they have recent wins over two of their three group opponents.
Group C has OG, who have become one of the main stories of the post-TI roster changes. BetBoom, MOUZ and Team Yandex are all tough opponents.
Group A includes two Chinese organisations, LGD Gaming and Xtreme Gaming, alongside PARIVISION.
Why Malaysian Dota fans should tune in
The first match, NAVI vs 1w Team, starts at 11pm Malaysia time, so night owls can watch the opening day live. Check BLAST's schedule for the other start times. BLAST is streaming the event on its official YouTube, Twitch and Kick channels.
Key takeaways
- BLAST Slam VIII runs from 29 September to 11 October and is the first Tier 1 Dota 2 event since TI 2026.
- Sixteen teams are playing for a US$750,000 prize pool, with US$200,000 for the winner.
- LAN playoffs are at BLAST Arena Studios in Malta from 8 to 11 October.
- TI champions Team Spirit are in Group B with NAVI, 1w Team and Team Nemesis.
FAQ
Q: Where are the BLAST Slam VIII playoffs? A: At BLAST Arena Studios in Malta, from 8 to 11 October 2026.
Q: What happens to the second-placed team in each group? A: It goes to the Last Chance stage. Group winners go to the Seeding Matches.
Q: Where can I watch BLAST Slam VIII? A: On BLAST's official YouTube, Twitch and Kick channels.
Sources: BLAST.tv, Natus Vincere (navi.gg), Talkesport, esports.gg