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Tag: Esports

  • BLAST Slam VIII: Dota 2’s Best Battle for $750,000 in Malta

    BLAST Slam VIII: Dota 2’s Best Battle for $750,000 in Malta

    World-class Dota 2 is coming back to Malta. BLAST Slam VIII brings its LAN finals to BLAST Arena Studios Malta from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 October 2026, with the best teams in the world playing in front of a live studio audience for a $750,000 prize pool.

    Sixteen teams, six finalists

    This is the biggest BLAST Slam yet, and the first with more than 12 teams. Twelve were invited: PARIVISION, Team Spirit, Team Yandex, Team Liquid, Aurora, BetBoom, 1w Team, LGD, Xtreme Gaming, OG, GamerLegion and MOUZ. Four more came through regional qualifiers: NAVI and Level UP from Europe, Yakult Brothers from China and Team Nemesis from Southeast Asia.

    The online stage (29 September to 3 October) uses four groups of four, all best-of-three, followed by a Last Chance bracket. The six survivors fly to Malta for a double-elimination bracket, finishing with a best-of-five grand final.

    What’s at stake

    The winners take $270,000, with $135,000 for second place and $95,000 for third. The history adds spice: Tundra won four Slams in a row (II to V), Team Liquid lifted Slam VI right here in Malta in February 2026, and Team Yandex took Slam VII in Copenhagen in June.

    The venue

    BLAST, the Copenhagen-based esports organiser, opened its 1,000 m² studio and operations centre in Ta’ Qali in 2025, as part of a three-year agreement with GamingMalta covering nine major events. It’s an intimate studio, so every seat is close to the action.

    Tickets

    • Thursday, Friday or Saturday: €10.80 per day
    • Sunday (finals day): €16.20
    • Weekend pass (Thursday to Sunday): €27

    Prices include the booking fee. Doors open from 13:00.

    FAQ

    When is BLAST Slam VIII in Malta?

    The LAN finals run from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 October 2026 at BLAST Arena Studios Malta in Ta’ Qali.

    How much is the prize pool?

    $750,000 in total, with $270,000 for the champions.

    Which teams are playing in Malta?

    The six LAN finalists are decided in the online stage, which ends on 3 October. Sixteen teams entered, including Team Liquid, Team Spirit, Team Yandex, OG, NAVI and Aurora.

    How much are tickets?

    €10.80 per day Thursday to Saturday, €16.20 for Sunday, or €27 for the weekend pass.

  • PLAYCON 2026: Malta’s Gaming and Esports Festival Returns to the MFCC

    PLAYCON 2026: Malta’s Gaming and Esports Festival Returns to the MFCC

    Malta’s gaming festival is back. PLAYCON 2026, the sixth edition, takes over the MFCC in Ta’ Qali from 19 to 22 November 2026, bringing together gaming, esports, game development, cosplay and the wider digital entertainment industry, in partnership with GamingMalta.

    From 8,000 to 25,000+

    PLAYCON launched in 2019 as Malta’s first game development and esports expo, welcoming around 8,000 visitors. By 2024 it had grown to more than 25,000, with the show floor expanding to 7,600 square metres and more than 60 exhibitors.

    What’s on

    • Esports: tournaments listed so far include Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, EA FC 27, League of Legends, CS2, Assetto Corsa and Blood Bowl 3.
    • DAIGON Students’ Esports World Championship: school teams from around the world compete in Rocket League and Minecraft, following the first edition in Malta in 2025.
    • Guests: announced so far are Steven Ogg, Anthony Howell, Elizabeth Rage and Leon Chiro, with Main Stage Q&As free to watch.
    • Expo: new games from talented developers, industry professionals, careers in the sector, and plenty of cosplay.

    Opening hours and tickets

    • Friday 20 November, 19:00-22:30, Mythic Pass only: exclusive early access to the show floor before anyone else. Tiers at €10.80, €27 and €54 (booking fee included); higher tiers add meet-and-greet perks and merch.
    • Saturday 21 November, 10:30-22:30 and Sunday 22 November, 10:30-19:00: FREE entry. Grab your free Weekend Access ticket in advance on Eventworks.

    FAQ

    Is PLAYCON 2026 free?

    Yes, weekend entry on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November is free. The Friday-evening Mythic Pass is a paid extra, from €10.80.

    When is PLAYCON 2026?

    19-22 November 2026 at the MFCC, Ta’ Qali, with the public expo open Friday evening (Mythic Pass) and all weekend.

    Who are the guests?

    Steven Ogg, Anthony Howell, Elizabeth Rage and Leon Chiro have been announced so far.