WePlay! set to host anime-themed event for next Dota 2 major

The second Dota 2 major of the season is finally scheduled.

WePlay has confirmed that it will host the next Dota 2 major. The Ukraine-based tournament organizer is known for having unique themes and motifs for tournaments, and this one is no different as it will be putting together the AniMajor.

As the name suggests the AniMajor is set to be an anime-themed major. Promotional materials surrounding the event so far have included posters featuring Dota 2 heroes drawn in an anime style.

The AniMajor will take place in Kiev, Ukraine and will run from June 2 to 13. Unfortunately, WePlay nixed any discussion of a live crowd by confirming that the event will take place behind closed doors.

“Unfortunately, the epidemiological situation in Kyiv does not allow us to receive guests: the tournament will be closed to spectators, as the players and employees’ safety is our highest priority,” WePlay said in its announcement on Reddit.

The news was received well by Dota 2 fans who have been treated to a number of grandiose events from the organizers in the past. This included the ancient Roman empire-influenced Omega League and the cyberpunk-styled WePlay Mad Moon. This is the first branded WePlay event since the WePlay Pushka League in 2020.

WePlay AniMajor will decide The International 10 invitees

The WePlay AniMajor is big by default given its status as a Dota Pro Circuit major, but this will be an even bigger event than normal. The AniMajor is set to be the final event in the 2021 Dota Pro Circuit season, and will finalize the list of invitees for The International 10.

So far, only a handful of teams have secured spots in the WePlay Animajor. The list includes:

• Virtus.pro
• Team Spirit
• Alliance
• Team Aster
• NoPing e-sports

The event will feature a total of 18 teams, with the remaining 13 set to be decided in the final weeks of the Dota Pro Circuit regional leagues. The field is wide open at the moment with the likes of Evil Geniuses, Team Secret, Team Nigma, and beastcoast all currently in a scramble to secure a spot at the major.