In a thrilling conclusion to ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 powered by Intel, Chinese team Azure Ray secured victory, claiming the lion’s share of the $1,000,000 total prize pool.
The nail-biting Grand Final, watched by over 335,000 viewers, unfolded at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). Azure Ray displayed exceptional skill, executing a remarkable 3:2 reverse sweep against Gaimin Gladiators, ultimately winning the championship.
Azure Ray’s triumph not only earned them $300,000 but also 4,800 EPT points, securing a direct invite to DreamLeague Season 22. The Oracle’s prophecy came true as Azure Ray, with impeccable team chemistry and experience, outmaneuvered 11 world-class teams.
The playoffs, attended by over 18,000 fans, marked the first arena-scale Dota 2 LAN tournament after The International 2023. Gaimin Gladiators, the runners-up, received $175,000 and 3,600 EPT points, while Team Liquid claimed third place with $120,000 and 3,000 EPT points.
Shane Clarke, Director of Game Ecosystems for Dota 2 at ESL FACEIT Group, expressed excitement about bringing ESL One powered by Intel back to Malaysia. Caitlin Kang, Senior Director Business Operations APJ, Managing Director of ESL Malaysia at ESL FACEIT Group, extended congratulations to Azure Ray and thanked fans, partners, and staff for making the event a success.
ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 achieved a peak viewership of over 335,000 concurrent viewers and accumulated over 8 million hours watched during the six days of intense competition.