Valve shocked the Dota 2 world with a sudden announcement that the Dota Pro Circuit 2021/2022 Winter Major was canceled due to “the discovery and spread of new strains of COVID-19 and the resulting increase of travel restrictions.”
To replace it, Valve announced the Winter Regional Finals. The top four teams of each region will participate in a final tournament for US$100,000 and 380 DPC points.
While the dev cannot be blamed for being cautious during the pandemic, Valve came under fire for its lack of communication with professional teams and players.
The community rallied behind the pros, prompting Valve to release an update shortly afterward that it is “working on a plan” to “get everyone together in one location and play out the tournament on LAN.”
Qualified teams for the DPC 2021/2022 Winter Regional Finals
Each region’s top four teams will be automatically qualified for the Winter Regional Finals.
| PLACEMENTS | DPC POINTS | PRIZE MONEY |
| 1st | 250 | US$50,000 |
| 2nd | 130 | US$25,000 |
| 3rd | 0 | US$15,000 |
| 4th | 0 | US$10,000 |
Even if teams don’t qualify for the Major, their final placements will provide them with different amounts of DPC points—potentially valuable for invites to The International.
- Nigma Galaxy turns 0-3 record into 3-3 with Miracle- owning
- How Somnus’ Lina miraculously saved RNG with a game-winning rampage
Southeast Asia
- BOOM Esports
- Fnatic
- T1
- Team SMG
BOOM Esports’ revamped roster has been Southeast Asia’s best teams. Despite a loss to rivals T1, BOOM ends the season at 6-1.
T1, Fnatic, and Team SMG all are at 5-2, and needed tiebreakers to separate them. Fnatic beat out the other two teams to claim the second spot, while T1 struck down SMG to claim third for themselves.
China
- PSG.LGD
- Team Aster
- Royal Never Give Up
- EHOME
PSG.LGD remains in fine form after a heartbreaking loss during the TI10 Grand Final, and is the only undefeated team remaining in China with a 6-0 record.
EHOME is guaranteed at least fourth with a 4-3 record. But Aster (5-2) and RNG (5-2) will clash in a tiebreaker to determine their final placements.
Western Europe
- Team Liquid
- Team Tickles
- Tundra Esports
- OG
Team Liquid and Team Tickles are guaranteed top half placements, but the middle of the pack in Europe are locked in a bitter battle.
After a tough round of tiebreakers, Tundra Esports and OG are the third and fourth-placing teams of WEU. Team Secret and Nigma Galaxy remain in the division, but will miss out on the Winter Regional Finals.
Eastern Europe
- Puckchamp
- Team Spirit
- Virtus Pro
- Hellraisers
Puckchamp had fought their way up from Division II last year, to now confirming a top three placement in Eastern Europe after a stellar 6-1 season.
TI10 champs Team Spirit is still a terrifying team, tearing through the Division to earn a 7-0 record. Even their single loss during the season proved how good they still are.
Hellraisers and Virtus Pro will make up the third slot. Both teams now have a 4-3 record, with Virtus Pro coming out on top in the tiebreaker.
North America
- Quincy Crew
- Team Undying
- Evil Geniuses
- 4Zoomers
Quincy Crew is guaranteed first place in North America after accruing a 6-0 record. If the Winter Major happens, Quincy Crew will be headed directly to the playoffs.
Their closest competitors—Team Undying and Evil Geniuses—both sit at 5-2. Undying won out in a tiebreaker, however, cementing the second spot for themselves.
EG and 4Zoomers round up the top four of the region.
South America
- Thunder Predator
- Infamous
- Beastcoast
- King of Kings
Thunder Predator locked in the top spot of the DPC SA with a 6-0 record. Even a loss to beastcoast in their final match won’t change the rankings.
Infamous is second with a 5-2 record. Beastcoast and King of Kings have a 4-3 record, with beastcoast coming out on top in a tiebreaker—but both will play the Winter Regional Finals.
(To be updated)
READ MORE: Where is the DPC Winter Major’s US$500,000 prize pool going?
