The Bali Major was not as popular as the Major of Dota Pro Circuit 2023

The Bali Major 2023, a Dota 2 tournament held in Indonesia, concluded on July 9, marking the final Major of the current Dota Pro Circuit season. However, it garnered considerably fewer viewers compared to previous Valve-sponsored tournaments.

The Bali Major 2023 followed the same format as the previous Majors in Lima and Berlin, with teams being eliminated in the group stage and the finalists determined through a double-elimination bracket. Gaimin Gladiators emerged victorious, defeating Team Liquid with a score of 3:1 in the decisive match. Interestingly, Gaimin Gladiators and Team Liquid also faced off in the finals of ESL One Berlin Major 2023 and The Lima Major 2023, with Gaimin Gladiators emerging victorious on both occasions. This means that Gaimin Gladiators have won all three Majors in 2023, along with two DreamLeague seasons, securing a remarkable streak of five major international tournament victories in a row.

In terms of viewership, The Bali Major 2023 accumulated slightly over 22 million Hours Watched, with an Average Viewers number of 175.8K per broadcast and a Peak Viewers number of 475.4K. The Grand Final between Team Liquid and Gaimin Gladiators was the most popular match, surpassing the 400K viewer mark. Team Liquid led in total Hours Watched, accumulating 5.6 million hours, which can be attributed to their journey through the lower bracket and playing more series in the Major than any other team.

Teams from Western Europe demonstrated their dominance once again by claiming all the Top 4 spots at the Major, while representatives from China showed a slight improvement with two teams making it into the Top 8. On the other hand, Southeast Asia and North America underperformed, with teams from these regions displaying weak performances in Bali.

The Bali Major 2023 faced challenges that affected viewership, including an unfavorable time zone that hindered viewers from Western Europe. Additionally, the tournament suffered from oversaturation, being the fifth major international tournament within a span of four months. This, combined with repetitive matches due to the established meta, resulted in viewer fatigue. Furthermore, the proximity of The Bali Major 2023 to the Riyadh Masters 2023, where participants competed for a significantly higher prize pool of $15 million, limited its appeal to teams and fans solely focused on securing spots for The International 2023.

Issues with on-site production also negatively impacted The Bali Major 2023, with Dota 2 fans discussing on Reddit and social media that the broadcasts of ESL One Berlin Major 2023 and DreamLeague Season 20, organized by ESL, were of higher quality compared to IO Esports and Epulze at The Bali Major.

Looking ahead, the regional qualifiers will take place in the second half of August to determine the final participants of The International 2023, with the World Championship itself scheduled from October 12 to 29 in Seattle at the Climate Pledge Arena. Notably, Valve decided not to release the traditional Battle Pass prior to the main tournament of the season. The direct invitees to The International 2023 include Team Liquid, Gaimin Gladiators, Tundra Esports, 9Pandas, Evil Geniuses, PSG.LGD, Shopify Rebellion, Talon Esports, Beastcoast, Team Spirit, TSM.

Final table with prizes

Gaimin Gladiators at Major Bali

The Gaimin Gladiators showcased an exceptional performance at The Bali Major 2023. The team demonstrated their dominance and remarkable skills throughout the tournament, ultimately emerging as the champions. With their impressive gameplay and strategic prowess, they secured victories against formidable opponents, including a decisive win against Team Liquid in the finals with a score of 3:1.

The Gaimin Gladiators’ success at The Bali Major 2023 is a testament to their exceptional teamwork, individual talent, and ability to adapt to different situations. Their consistent performances throughout the tournament showcased their determination and ability to overcome challenges.

The Gaimin Gladiators’ victory at The Bali Major 2023 adds to their already impressive track record, as they had previously triumphed at ESL One Berlin Major 2023 and The Lima Major 2023. With this latest major win, the team solidified their position as one of the top contenders in the Dota 2 professional scene.

Their achievements not only highlight the skill and dedication of the players but also the effective leadership and coaching that has propelled the team to success. The Gaimin Gladiators’ exceptional performance at The Bali Major 2023 has undoubtedly cemented their status as a force to be reckoned with in the competitive Dota 2 landscape.

Team Liquid at Major Bali

Team Liquid delivered a commendable performance at The Bali Major 2023, showcasing their skills and determination throughout the tournament. The team displayed remarkable teamwork, strategic gameplay, and individual talent, earning them a spot in the grand finals.

Although they faced a tough challenge against the Gaimin Gladiators in the finals, Team Liquid fought valiantly, demonstrating their resilience and competitive spirit. While they fell short of claiming the championship title, their journey to the finals showcased their ability to overcome strong opponents and their consistency throughout the tournament.

Team Liquid’s performance at The Bali Major 2023 reflects their status as a formidable force in the Dota 2 professional scene. Their solid gameplay, effective communication, and strong synergy among team members contributed to their success in reaching the grand finals.

With their impressive run at The Bali Major 2023, Team Liquid continues to establish themselves as one of the top contenders in the Dota 2 esports landscape. Their achievements in this major tournament further solidify their reputation as a skilled and competitive team, leaving fans and spectators eager to witness their future performances.

Tundra Esports at Major Bali

Tundra Esports left an indelible mark on the Dota 2 community with their stellar performance at The Bali Major 2023. Throughout the tournament, the team showcased their exceptional skills, adaptability, and unwavering determination.

As the competition progressed, Tundra Esports faced formidable adversaries, but their unwavering resolve to succeed remained unshaken. Their calculated decision-making and outstanding individual performances propelled them through the tournament bracket, securing them a well-deserved spot among the top contenders.

Although they fell short of claiming the championship title, Tundra Esports left a lasting impression with their impressive showing, earning the respect and admiration of the Dota 2 community. Their consistent display of skill, teamwork, and determination solidifies their position as a formidable force in the professional scene.

What caused better performance after Berlin Major?

“I kind of want to say that the pressure has got to us. Because we realized that we might not be with the full squad at the next Major. I’m not sure if I can say that. But anyways, what clicked for us was that we needed to win now or never. And the whole pressure made us play better, but honestly, who knows? We didn’t do anything different this Tour compared to the other two.” – Skiter Tundra Esports player

PSG.LGD at Major Bali

As mentioned earlier, PSG.LGD stands out as the only non-Western European team that comes close to competing with the best. This formidable Chinese powerhouse has demonstrated their ability to challenge and defeat some of the tournament favorites on multiple occasions. Despite having a relatively young and talented roster, they may lack the experience of competing on the grandest stages.

However, PSG.LGD’s consistent improvement in performance is a positive sign that they are on the right track. While they may not emerge as champions at the Riyadh Masters 2023, their strong showing at The International is highly anticipated. As the most significant event in the Dota 2 competitive calendar, PSG.LGD has proven their capacity to reach the final stages multiple times.

Beastcoast at Major Bali

While South America has yet to produce a champion in a major international competition, the performance of beastcoast continues to turn heads. After showcasing their skills at DreamLeague Season 20, the team further impressed at the Bali Major 2023.

Despite being placed in a challenging group alongside formidable teams like Team Spirit, Aster, and Liquid, beastcoast managed to secure a commendable second-place finish. Although they faced defeat in the Upper Bracket, their performance against the world’s best Dota 2 team, Gamin Gladiators, exceeded expectations.

Additionally, beastcoast achieved a significant victory by defeating Shopify Rebellion, the top North American team. This achievement is particularly notable as Shopify Rebellion had previously dominated their encounters with beastcoast. However, the South American squad demonstrated their growth and outperformed their opponents.

While beastcoast was eventually eliminated in the subsequent stage, they once again showcased their ability to compete at a high level. While they may not yet reach the level of the top Western European teams, they are undoubtedly closing the gap and should not be underestimated by their opponents.