PSG.LGD claim Dota 2 Riyadh Masters crown with Gamers8 final triumph to earn $1.5m prize

RIYADH: PSG.LGD claimed the inaugural Dota 2 Riyadh Masters crown on Sunday night at Gamer8 with an exhilarating 2-0 victory over Team Spirit in the grand finale in Riyadh.

A capacity crowd at Boulevard Riyadh City’s Esports Arena watched on as the Chinese side defeated the Russian outfit to collect the $1.5 million first prize and bring the unforgettable and widely acclaimed five-day competition to a pulsating close.

Faisal bin Homran, head of esports at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “The spectacular success of the Dota 2 Riyadh Masters tournament encapsulates everything we wanted to achieve with Gamers8 when we brought this special and unique event to Riyadh. The player and fan experience has been exceptional, as has the quality of gaming on display from start to finish.

“This is just the beginning of this incredible tournament, and I can assure everyone that next year will be even bigger and better. Our plans include a yearly qualification period from across the gaming regions, with the finals set for a dramatic culmination in Riyadh,” he added.

The fifth and final day of Dota 2 Riyadh Masters began with two semi-finals, which saw PSG.LGD seal their final spot with a 2-1 win over OG, while Team Spirit secured their participation in the showpiece occasion with a 2-1 victory over Team Secret.

PSG.LGD then went on to claim glory with a team performance which forced Team Spirit to settle for runners-up and the $750,000 second-place prize at the biggest esports and gaming event in the world.

PSG.LGD No. 99 XinQ said: “We are very excited to win the Riyadh Masters, this is a special moment for us all. Hearing the cheers from the audience was wonderful. We are thrilled to be a part of, and win, the Riyadh