Just 9 days into the new year, and your wait is over for the first competitive Dota 2 tournament of 2019.

The Bucharest Minor is the 2nd Minor of this 2018/2019 season’s Dota 2 Pro Circuit (DPC), powered by renowned esports tournament organiser PGL (who also organised last November’s KL Major), and backed by our award-winning gaming chairs.

It will also be the first tournament since the hefty 7.20 patch, meaning there will be no shortage of excitement and high-octane gameplay as the run-up towards The International (TI) 2019 intensifies.

In the very case you’re still recovering from December’s festive season, here are all the essentials to get you up to speed for the Minor:

Who are playing?

The International 2018 winners OG (EU) will be making their first competitive appearance of this season’s Dota 2 Pro Circuit since their fairytale success at TI8 last August.

They will be up against 7 other teams from around the globe:

Ninjas in Pyjamas (EU)

TEAM TEAM (NA)

Playmakers Esports (SA)

Gambit Esports (CIS)

BOOM ID (SEA)

Keen Gaming (CN)

EHOME (CN)

What’s at stake?

A lion’s share of the USD$300,000 prize pool, 500 Dota Pro Circuit Points, and the winner advances straight to the Chongqing Major, set for 19 to 27 January, 2019.

1st: $125,000, 120 DPC points, qualification for the Chongqing Major

2nd: $70,000, 100 DPC pts

3rd: $35,000, 90 DPC pts

4th: $25,000, 70 DPC pts

When/where is it?

The main event will be held at the PGL Studio in Bucharest, Romania, from 9 to 13 January, 2019. The first two opening matches will kick off at 10am Eastern European Time / 6pm Pacific Time.

Can’t make it in person? Don’t worry, you can still catch PGL’s live stream here.

Who are the favourites?

Most will find it hard to look past the reigning TI champions OG for the tournament, after they stunned the world stage to win last year’s TI, which boasted the largest-ever esports prize pool of over $25 million.

Can OG’s Jerax (above) and his teammates replicate their TI8 success in this season’s DPC?

But it would be unwise to expect OG to have a straight run at the Bucharest Minor title, with Ninjas in Pyjamas—who finished in the top 4 at the recent KL Major—offering stiff opposition and Chinese teams EHOME and Keen Gaming showing potential.

Ninjas in Pyjamas will be among the teams looking to push for the Bucharest Minor title.

Secretlab is proud to be the official chair partner for the Bucharest Minor.

Images via PGL and ForFun.com.