The press service of the company announced that Sber is launching its own esports competitions for the first time. The Dota 2 tournament will be organized with the support of the Russian Computer Sports Federation, also known as the FCS.
Qualification will decide who makes the final eight teams. In the knockout phase, teams must win to reach the main stage, where the grand matches will unfold.
The winning squad will carry Sber’s banner to the international Open Esports Games 2023. In addition to the title, the champions will receive sponsorship from Sberbank and will be guided by a dedicated coach to sharpen their strategies for the tournament.
Placings two through four will earn cash prizes ranging from 50,000 to 250,000 rubles.
Alongside the main event, organizers will run a separate one-on-one championship. The victor will receive a SberBoom smart speaker equipped with the Salyut virtual assistant.
Registration for the tournament runs through August 6. Qualifying rounds are scheduled from July 29 to August 6, the group stage will take place on August 12–13, and the final is slated for August 19.
Sberbank notes that the company remains a sponsor of Russian FCS tournaments, including a school league that covers game types such as electronic chess, internet search time challenges, Hearthstone, and Dota 2, as well as the Open Esports Games 2023.
Earlier reports mention that Sber is expanding its IT division with a large operation in Bengaluru, India.