Dota 2 is inarguably one of the most popular games on the planet, with millions logging in to play every month. Behind the anonymity of the online gaming community lies a fascinating truth: many celebrities are avid players of the game.

While we often don’t know who we’re up against, some famous figures have openly shared their love for Dota 2. Here’s a look at some notable personalities who play this beloved title.

Asa Butterfield - Actor

Asa Butterfield is a British actor known for his roles in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Sex Education. He proudly showcases his gamer side, having developed a video game in 2013 and competed in the Nintendo World Championships.

His commitment to gaming extends to Dota 2, where he is one of the few celebrities actively involved in the esports scene. During ESL One Birmingham 2019, he joined the panel to provide an in-depth analysis of the matches. In October 2020, he officially joined Team Liquid, supporting the organization while creating engaging content for fans.

JJ Lin - Singer

JJ Lin, a celebrated singer and producer from Singapore, has made a name for himself in the music industry with countless hits and world tours, even breaking a Guinness World Record.

However, his talents extend beyond music; in 2020, he founded Team SMG to compete in esports. After starting with various titles, Lin announced the launch of the Team SMG Dota 2 division in 2021, expressing his long-standing passion for the game. “Dota 2 is a game I’ve been passionate about since I was a kid,” he said during the announcement.

Check out JJ Lin performing at The International Opening Ceremony here.

Jeremy Lin - NBA Player

Another famous Dota 2 player is Jeremy Lin, an NBA star renowned for being the first Asian American to win an NBA championship. While he's a sports icon, Lin has a profound interest in esports, particularly Dota 2.

He has been playing the game since high school and appeared in the first Dota 2 documentary Free to Play in 2014. In 2016, he founded VGJ Storm in partnership with Vici Gaming, leading the organization to significant tournament success, including a top 8 placement at The International 2018. 

Ian Nepomniachtchi - Chess Grandmaster

Dota 2 and chess share many strategic similarities, making Ian Nepomniachtchi’s involvement in both games intriguing. The Russian Grandmaster, a two-time runner-up at the World Chess Championship, has been a Dota 2 enthusiast since 2006.

He even competed as a semi-professional player and won the ASUS Cup 2011 LAN tournament. Known in-game as FrostNova, Nepomniachtchi has also lent his voice as a commentator, appearing at ESL One Hamburg in 2018 and the Russian stream of The International.

Alexander Golovin and Gerard Pique - Footballers

Even top athletes are getting in on the Dota 2 action! Alexander Golovin, midfielder for AS Monaco FC and captain of the Russian national team, revealed his passion for Dota 2 during a livestream six years ago, boasting an impressive 6K MMR with only 3K hours of play—solidly placing him in the Immortal rank.

On the other hand, Gerard Piqué, the renowned Spanish footballer known for his stints at Barcelona and Manchester United, has acknowledged Dota 2’s existence on social media. While it’s unclear if he plays regularly, his mention of the game makes it count, right?

PewDiePie and Ryan Higa - YouTubers

Great YouTubers have great taste. PewDiePie, touted the King of YouTube, has openly discussed his history with the game, even asserting that “League of Legends wouldn’t exist without Dota.” This sparked quite the storm, inevitably.

Similarly, Ryan Higa, a pioneer of YouTube comedy, has shared that he spends time playing Dota 2. While many know him for his hilarious skits, few realize that he enjoys Dota 2 plus its phenomenal root games like Frozen Throne and Warcraft.

Know any more famous people who play Dota 2? Let us know below!