ESL Launches Dota 2 Academy Grassroots System Sponsored by DHL

Mentioned in this article

• DHL will sponsor the newly-created ESL Academy grassroots development system for Dota 2.
• The first season will have a prize pool of more than $240K USD, and hold its finals competitions at ESL One events.
• DHL is also a global sponsor of ESL One. ESL One Hamburg takes place this weekend.

ESL today announced the creation of an ESL Academy system for Dota 2, which is designed to help develop up-and-coming talent for the game.

Delivery service DHL, already a global partner for ESL One events, will be the founding and presenting partner for ESL Academy. Four veteran Dota 2 players will draft teams comprised of top players in North America and Europe using the Dotabuff Reach platform, and train both online and offline ahead of competitions.

ESL Academy finals competitions will be held during ESL One events, and the first season will have a total prize pool of more than $240K. Teams will train at bootcamp events “delivered by DHL,” according to a release.

“We entered the world of esports less than two years ago, and today we are founding the ESL Academy in support of young talents on their way to become professionals,” said Deutsche Post DHL Group Head of Group Brand Marketing Arjan Sissing, in a release. “At DHL, we are proud to be part of this exciting journey and we are looking forward to deliver[ing] the Academy and its bootcamps. At DHL, we ensure [the] highest standards in our logistics services, and it is the same approach we will apply in providing professional training conditions for the teams.”

The $300K ESL One Hamburg Dota 2 tournament is being held this weekend. ESL also recently announced the addition of a Dota 2 tournament to the UK ESL premiership, with sponsorship from Mercedes Benz.

Upcoming Event

Esports Rising – Nov. 14  | Who Is Attending?
Esports organizations such as Team Liquid, 100 Thieves, Gen.G. Game developers, including Riot Games and Blizzard. Non-endemic sponsors such as adidas, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Jack in the Box, and more. The Esports Observer readers get a special discount when registering for the conference.