ESL One Manila Is Adding a Whole Group Stage Into the Program

For a very long time, the Electronic Sports League (ESL) has used a single-elimination format for its ESL One Dota 2 tournaments. However, that is about to change.

ESL One Manila will now include a full group stage bracket. The group stage format is adapted from a popular bracketing system used in the Global Starcraft League (GSL).

In this double-elimination format, each team has to win a total of two matches in order to get to the next stage. If a team loses twice, then that team is out of the tournament.

It seems that the management of ESL had really taken players’ feedback into consideration, as shown in the following statement:

“After discussing the event calendar and format with some teams we decided to extend the format of ESL One Manila by an extra day to reduce the risk of travel for teams. We think that in the current dota ecosystem, that this [sic] gives a better incentive to teams without risking going home from an immediate loss.”

In addition, the new format will extend the tournament by a day, which means that the matches will start on April 22. The first round of the group stage will be only available through Twitch, as they will be played off-site. The matches for the next two days will still be played at the Mall of Asia (MoA) Arena as planned, which means that Dota 2 enthusiasts will be able to witness a huge chunk of the action!

Good enough, but what does it mean to us?

Justifying logistics

ESL’s insistence on the single-elimination format is the reason why Evil Geniuses and Team Secret declined their respective invitations: It is risky for them to play and quickly drop out of the tournament, in addition to the fact that the date of ESL One Manila is close to a Dota 2 Major.

In order to appease the teams that are flying into Manila, ESL decided to change the format into a double-elimination group stage.

Under the new format, teams will not have to deal anymore with the risk of being eliminated outright, as they basically have two chances in order to keep their tournament hopes alive.

Teams will find it easier to justify the costs of a trip abroad if they know that they will have a better chance to survive beyond the first day of a tournament.

More playstyles and matches

Well, who does not want more action-packed Dota?

Adding a whole new group stage means more games played and more choices for online viewers to watch. Given the fact that the latest patch is fast-paced and action-packed, with matches typically ending before the 30-minute mark, the new format allows online viewers to be able to catch a good part of the action on stream.

Furthermore, they will have a better chance of displaying their drafts and adjusting them according to the respective playstyles of their opponents due to the fact that there will be more maps to be played during the tournament.

Conclusions

First, the new format appeases teams who come to ESL One Manila by ensuring their survival beyond the first day of the tournament. Second, it allows more matches to be played throughout the tournament, creating more choices for spectators to watch. Finally, the teams will be able to adjust to their opponents better, thus ensuring that high-quality matches will be played during ESL One Manila.

In other words, everyone wins.

For now, let’s keep the hype going!

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