An unprecedented record has been set in the history of professional Dota 2: the battle between Azure Ray and G2.iG went down in history as one of the toughest and longest series in the game's history. The Grand Final of the Chinese Closed Qualifying Tournament for ESL One Birmingham 2024 set a new record in Dota 2 eSports.

Record series

The series lasted almost eight hours, of which 5.5 hours was the time spent in the game. This best-of-five series surpassed all previous records for the duration of Dota 2 series and was a real challenge for both teams.

The match between iG.G2 and Azure Ray at ESL One Birmingham 2024: China Closed Qualifier started at 9:00 AM CET. The first match has already set a new record in Patch 7.35, lasting 1 hour and 23 minutes. The impressive resilience of both teams was further demonstrated in the fourth game, which lasted 24 minutes longer (for a total of 1 hour and 47 minutes) than the previous record-breaking match. The players demonstrated incredible skill and endurance, constantly adapting to changes on the battlefield.

The series ended with a quick victory for G2.iG in the fifth game, which was a less dramatic but decisive conclusion to this extremely intense series. This match highlighted the high level of preparation and strategic thinking of the G2.iG team, which allowed them to win and cement their place in Dota 2 history.

Breaking the previous record

This extraordinary series eclipsed the previous record of the longest series in Dota 2, which had been held since 2015 thanks to the five-hour and 16-minute confrontation between Mamas-Boys and STARK.gg. This series has been a real challenge for both teams, demonstrating their endurance and determination to win. Azure Ray and G2.iG's recent showdown not only demonstrates the evolving dynamics of Dota 2, but also highlights the growing stamina, strategy and teamwork required at the highest levels of competitive play. This record serves as a reminder of how far professional players are willing to go to achieve their goals and raises the bar for future competitions.

Other examples of the longest matches

Although the series between iG.G2 and Azure Ray set a new record for the longest series, it is worth mentioning other memorable long matches in the history of Dota 2 eSports. The longest single-player game remains the epic battle between Cloud9 and ScaryFaceZ, which lasted an incredible 3 hours and 20 minutes. This match, which was part of the StarSeries Season 12 in 2015, brought together iconic players and future stars, leaving an unforgettable page in the history of Dota 2 eSports. It became a symbol of the resilience and strategic depth required at the highest level of competition.

Such matches demonstrate how far professional players are willing to go to achieve victory, despite physical and psychological challenges. They also highlight the importance of teamwork, planning and adaptability in difficult situations. These long-lasting battles leave an indelible mark on Dota 2 history and serve as inspiration for future generations of players who aspire to reach the same heights in their careers.

The longest matches in the history of The International

Another significant record in recent years was the longest match in the history of The International championships. It took place during the main stage of International 2022 (TI11) on the first day of the competition. The tense match between Entity and Royal Never Give Up lasted 1 hour and 47 minutes, demonstrating not only the intense struggle, but also the endurance and determination of the players. Especially considering that four RNG players played remotely due to coronavirus infection.

Interestingly, Yap "xNova" Jian Wei, who now plays for G2.iG, used to be an RNG player and participated in this longest TI match. He was the only RNG player present on the main stage without his sick teammates.

Conclusion

The longest matches in Dota 2 history demonstrate not only the endurance and skill of the players, but also the evolution of the game and its competitive aspects. The record-breaking series between Azure Ray and G2.iG at ESL One Birmingham 2024 went down in history as one of the longest and most intense, highlighting the importance of strategy and endurance at the highest level of the game.

Historic matches such as the epic battle between Cloud9 and ScaryFaceZ or the longest match at The International 2022 between Entity and Royal Never Give Up leave an indelible mark on the world of esports. They serve as an inspiration for future Dota 2 players and fans, reminding them how important perseverance, teamwork, and strategic thinking are.

These matches become legendary, setting new standards for future generations of players and raising the bar for competitive Dota 2. Regardless of the length of the game or the difficulty of the series, each of these matches shows that true Dota 2 mastery is achieved through relentless training, resilience, and the will to win.