Top 5 Things to Know About DreamLeague Season 26 – Group Stage 2

Hey everyone. If you’ve been following DreamLeague Season 26, you know Group Stage 2 is where things really heat up. Eight teams made it through the first phase and now it’s do-or-die time.

If you’re just tuning in or want a better grip on what’s going on, I’ve got you covered. I’m going to walk you through the five biggest things to know about this stage. I’ll break it down simply so anyone can follow even if you’re new to the scene.

Top 5 Things to Know About DreamLeague Season 26 – Group Stage 2

1. Format and Stakes

Single Group, Round-Robin

In Group Stage 2, there’s only one group. All eight teams play each other once. That means each team has to play seven matches total. No separate divisions, no breaks. Just straight up one big round-robin.

Every match is played as a best-of-three series. That’s important. You can’t squeak by with a fluke win. You need to win two games out of three to take the series.

Only Four Teams Survive

Out of the eight, only four teams move on. Top two go to the upper bracket of the playoffs. That’s where you want to be. It gives you a safety net. If you lose once in the upper bracket, you’re not out, you drop to the lower bracket and get another shot.

Teams that finish 3rd and 4th go to the lower bracket right away. No room for mistakes there. One loss, and you’re done.

The bottom four teams? They’re out. No playoffs. No second chances. That’s what makes every match matter. There are no draws or extra games. If you’re not sharp from the start, you’ll fall behind fast.

Every Match Counts

There’s no margin for error. Every single game impacts the standings. It’s not like some leagues where you can afford to lose a few games and still be okay. Here, a single series can be the difference between making playoffs or going home. That’s why we’re seeing teams bring their best every time.

2. Qualified Teams

Now let’s talk about who’s actually playing. And trust me, the lineup is spicy.

The Eight Teams

Here’s who made it to Group Stage 2:

• Aurora Gaming
• Nigma Galaxy
• BetBoom Team
• Team Liquid
• PARIVISION
• Yakult Brothers
• Talon Esports
• Gaimin Gladiators

That’s a mix of rising stars, household names, and underdogs with something to prove.

Aurora and PARIVISION: The Early Favorites

Aurora Gaming and PARIVISION are coming in hot. They both went undefeated in Group Stage 1. That’s not easy. These guys didn’t drop a single series. It tells you they’re in great form and working well as a unit.

Aurora’s playstyle has been clean and disciplined. They know when to fight and when to back off. Their drafts have been sharp. On the flip side, PARIVISION’s been aggressive. They love to fight early and control the tempo. Watching them take over a map is like watching a storm roll in.

These two teams are probably the ones everyone else is trying to catch right now.

Liquid’s Redemption Arc

Then there’s Team Liquid. They’re one of the most popular teams in Dota. A lot of fans are rooting for them, especially after their rocky finish in 2024. They’ve had some rough patches, but the core of the team is still strong. If they find their rhythm, they’re dangerous.

Watching Liquid now is kind of like watching a top athlete shake off rust. They’re starting to look better, but you can tell they’re still working things out.

Nigma and Talon: Potential Upset Machines

Nigma Galaxy and Talon Esports are the wildcard teams. They’re not at the top of the standings yet, but they’ve shown they can take games off anyone. Nigma has Miracle- back, and even though the team still has coordination issues, their highs are really high.

Talon just plays without fear. They’ll go for big plays, and when it works, it looks amazing. They’re not the cleanest team, but they’re scary because of how fast they can swing a game.

Don’t Sleep on BetBoom and Gaimin

BetBoom Team and Gaimin Gladiators are both solid squads. BetBoom has been solid for most of the year, and they’ve got a good balance of experience and young talent. Gaimin’s had ups and downs, but they’re always in the mix.

Yakult Brothers are the big underdogs. Not many people had them making it to Group Stage 2, but here they are. They’ve got nothing to lose, and that makes them dangerous.

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3. Key Matches to Watch

There are some must-watch matchups in Group Stage 2. These series could shape the entire playoff picture.

Gaimin Gladiators vs Nigma Galaxy – May 23

This was a big early test. Both teams needed to prove they belonged in the top four. Nigma’s aggressive style matched up well with Gaimin’s slower pace. This match was all about tempo and who could control the map better.

What made this one exciting was how explosive the games got. Both teams have high-skill players who can take over a match. Watching them clash was a treat. If you missed it, go watch the replays.

BetBoom Team vs PARIVISION – May 24

This one was a clash of styles. BetBoom plays more traditional, balanced Dota. PARIVISION is chaos. Fast, aggressive, overwhelming.

I was really curious to see how BetBoom handled the pressure. Could they stay calm under the constant fights PARIVISION brings? Turns out, it was a brawl. Tons of action, and the draft phase ended up being super important.

This match gave us a good read on whether BetBoom is a real title threat or just a solid team.

Team Liquid vs BetBoom – May 25

This was another key match for both teams trying to make top four. Liquid’s been inconsistent, and BetBoom has looked strong, so this one could decide who makes the lower bracket.

The cool thing here was seeing the veteran experience from both sides. Liquid likes long, strategic games. BetBoom doesn’t mind that either, but they’ve got more punch in the early game.

Watching how these two squads drafted and adjusted between games was interesting. It’s also the kind of matchup where you learn a lot about each team’s identity.

PARIVISION vs Aurora – May 27

This is the big one. The only two teams that went undefeated in Group Stage 1. This match could decide who finishes first in the group.

Both teams are confident. Both teams play with a lot of energy. What’s going to decide it? Drafts and discipline. Aurora likes methodical play. PARIVISION plays like they’re in a hurry. It’s a classic showdown of control vs chaos.

This might be the best match of the group stage. Don’t miss it.

4. Tiebreaker Rules

The rules for breaking ties are pretty strict. Let’s go over them so you’re not confused when it happens (and yes, it always happens).

Two-Way Ties

If two teams are tied for a key position like 2nd or 4th, they’ll play a full best-of-three tiebreaker. Simple.

So if, say, Gaimin and Liquid both end up with the same win-loss record for 4th place, they’ll play one more Bo3. Winner moves on. Loser goes home.

Three or More Teams Tied

It gets a little trickier here. If three or more teams are tied, they’ll play a round-robin of best-of-ones. Everyone plays everyone once. That’s fast but risky. One mistake, and you’re out.

If the Bo1 round-robin doesn’t solve it, then they go deeper:

• Number of 2-0 wins in the group
• Neustadtl score
• Head-to-head record
• And if it’s still tied, they go to 1v1 matches. Yes, actual 1v1s.

Sounds wild, but it keeps things fair. It also adds drama at the end of the group stage. You never know when a team’s whole season will come down to a single game.

5. Prize Pool and EPT Points

$1 Million Total Prize Pool

The total prize pool for DreamLeague Season 26 is $1,000,000. Here’s how it breaks down:

• $750,000 goes to player prize money
• $250,000 goes to club rewards

So even teams that don’t win the whole thing can walk away with something, but the big money is for the top finishers.

The higher you place in Group Stage 2, the more you earn. Every match win matters. Even finishing 5th instead of 6th can mean more money.

EPT Points are Everything

EPT stands for Esports Pro Tour. It’s a system that tracks team performance across the season. The more points you have, the better your chances to get invited to the big events.

The winner of DreamLeague Season 26 gets 6,000 EPT points. That’s huge. It can push a team into qualification for major international events.

Even smaller placements still earn you points. That’s why you see teams fighting hard, even if they’ve already locked playoffs. Every win now can help later in the season.

Group Stage 2 in DreamLeague Season 26 is everything you want from Dota. High stakes, good teams, tight games, and a lot of personality.

If you’re new to the scene, this is a great time to jump in. The games are intense. The teams are all hungry. And nothing’s decided yet.

Keep an eye on Aurora and PARIVISION, but don’t count out Liquid or Nigma Galaxy. The playoffs will only get crazier, and the teams that survive this stage will be ready for anything.

Let me know who you’re rooting for. I’ll be watching every match, and I’ll keep dropping updates and takes as we go.

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