The first major esports event of the year is fast approaching, and all eyes are on FISSURE Playground #1, a million-dollar tournament featuring 16 top-performing teams. Set in Serbia’s bustling capital, Belgrade, this LAN event is the perfect start to the new competitive season, showcasing revamped rosters and fresh faces ready to prove themselves.
In this article, we break down everything you need to know about FISSURE Playground #1, including the format, participants, and the teams to watch out for—favorites, underdogs, and dark horses.
FISSURE Playground #1 Details
FISSURE Playground #1 boasts a prize pool of $1 million, distributed among all 16 participating teams. It will kick off in a LAN setting from January 24 to February 2, 2025.
The tournament dates and format includes:
- Group Stage: January 24–27
- Playoffs: January 28–February 2 (double-elimination format)
Prize Pool Distribution:
- 1st Place: $400,000
- 2nd Place: $170,000
- 3rd Place: $100,000
- 4th Place: $75,000
- 5th–6th Place: $50,000
- 7th–8th Place: $35,000
- 9th–10th Place: $15,000
- 11th–12th Place: $10,000
- 13th–14th Place: $5,000
Participating Teams:
Main Favorites of the Tournament
1. Team Falcons
If consistency is key, Team Falcons has it in abundance. Dominating the competitive scene throughout 2024, Falcons has become a powerhouse thanks to their mix of experienced veterans and rising stars. Whether it’s a good or bad day, Falcons is almost guaranteed to finish at the top or near it.
2. Team Liquid
The two-time The International (TI) winners are a force to be reckoned with. Despite initial struggles post-TI due to roster changes, in which Jonáš "SabeRLight-" Volek took over the role of Neta "33" Shapira, Team Liquid found their footing quickly, leading to strong showings near the end of the year, including a 1win Series Dota 2 Fall victory and a runner-up finish at ESL One Bangkok. Expect Liquid to be a major contender.
3. Team Spirit
Hear me out on this. Team Spirit is generating buzz with the return of Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk and Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov, two legendary players. Guided by coach Airat "Silent" Gaziev, the team now boasts a revamped roster featuring the phenomenal TI-winning roster, except Myroslav "Mira" Kolpakov. While Spirit as a Dota 2 org hasn’t been in top form recently, their potential to dominate now seems brighter than ever.
Main Underdogs of the Tournament
1. Wildcard
Wildcard is perhaps the tournament’s biggest underdog. Entering their first-ever tier-one event with a fresh North American roster, they’ve already impressed by qualifying for FISSURE Playground #1. While their inexperience may pose challenges, their enthusiasm and creativity could lead to surprising results.
2. Shopify Rebellion
Despite consistently representing North America on the global stage, Shopify Rebellion has struggled to achieve significant milestones. Their inability to capitalize on opportunities may once again hinder their progress in this tournament, thus they end up in our underdogs list. But things may change as we enter the new season!
3. Chimera Esports
A new name in the competitive scene, Chimera Esports features a talented roster, including Nikita "Daxak" Kuzmin, Artem "lorenof" Melnick, and Aybek "TA2000" Tokayev. Although they’re still finding their rhythm, their potential to upset established teams shouldn’t be overlooked. Nonetheless, we put them in the underdogs list as they are likely to struggle in their first LAN tournament as a roster.
Dark Horses of FISSURE Playground #1
1. PARIVISION
PARIVISION, champions of ESL One Bangkok, are among the most intriguing participants. The team recently replaced Remco "Crystallis" Arets with Alan "Satanic" Gallyamov, a rising star who was dropped from Team Spirit after Yatoro’s return. While Satanic’s lack of experience may be a concern, his raw talent could make PARIVISION a formidable contender if he adapts quickly.
2. AVULUS
Western Europe’s AVULUS showed promise in 2024, excelling in regional qualifiers. However, they struggled to perform on the international stage. If they’ve addressed their weaknesses, AVULUS could surprise fans with a strong showing in Belgrade.
3. HEROIC
South America’s HEROIC made history in 2024 by becoming the first team from the region to win a tier-one event (PGL Wallachia S2). While roster changes have altered the team’s dynamic, HEROIC’s potential to disrupt established teams remains high.
Look Forward to FISSURE Playground #1
Although FISSURE Playground #1 follows a familiar format, the narratives surrounding it promise plenty of excitement. From Team Spirit’s legendary return to Tundra Esports debuting new names like Bozhidar "bzm" Bogdanov, and the rise of newcomers such as Wildcard and Chimera Esports, the tournament is set to deliver unforgettable moments.
Will the favorites dominate, or will the underdogs and dark horses rewrite the script? Find out when FISSURE Playground #1 kicks off this Sunday!
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