BLAST Slam VI, the first Tier-1 Dota 2 tournament of 2026, will feature 12 top teams vying for a $1 million prize pool from February 3 to 15 in Malta. The event includes a group stage, play-in rounds, and single-elimination playoffs, with both established powerhouses and newcomers participating. Betting previews highlight a competitive field led by favorites like Team Falcons, Team Spirit, and Tundra Esports.
BLAST Slam VI marks the opening of the 2026 Dota 2 esports season, bringing together 12 teams in Malta for intense competition. Scheduled from February 3 to February 15, the tournament offers a $1,000,000 USD prize pool, distributed to reward top performers fairly.
The format begins with a group stage from February 3 to 5, where 12 teams play a Bo1 round-robin. The top two advance directly to the semifinals, teams finishing 3rd to 8th move to the Play-In, and 9th to 12th enter the Last Chance Playoff. From February 6 to 8, the Last Chance and Play-In stages feature Bo3 matches, with winners advancing to the quarterfinals and others eliminated. These early rounds occur online, starting at 3 PM CET on February 6.
The playoffs, held offline from February 13 to 15, follow a single-elimination bracket with all Bo5 matches. The grand final is set for February 15 at 4:30 PM CET, crowning the champion without a lower bracket final.
Participating teams include nine invited squads: Tundra Esports, Team Falcons, MOUZ, HEROIC, Team Yandex, Team Spirit, OG, Team Liquid, and GamerLegion. Qualifiers are NAVI from Europe, Xtreme Gaming from China, and REKONIX from Southeast Asia. For many, this is the season's debut, testing preparations against giants like Tundra and Team Liquid.
Betting odds from GG.BET as of January 29, 2026, position Team Falcons, Team Spirit, and Tundra Esports as favorites in a three-way race, with odds reflecting their recent successes, such as Tundra's wins in BLAST Slam 4 and 5. Team Yandex and MOUZ offer value bets after strong finishes in events like PGL Wallachia Season 6. Analysts suggest avoiding overrated picks like Team Liquid, while noting underrated potential in OG's new roster, which achieved top-six placements in late 2025 tournaments.
The event promises excitement with its balanced format and mix of veterans and debutants, broadcast on Twitch and YouTube.
