Eastern European Dota 2 Organizer Epulze Files for Bankruptcy
Epulze AB, a prominent Swedish esports tournament organizer, has filed for bankruptcy on December 11, 2023. Known for hosting Dota 2 tournaments and operating a competitive gaming platform, the company has ceased all operations effective immediately.
Founded in 2015, Epulze gained recognition for organizing various Dota 2 events, including the Epulze Community Cup series and several regional tournaments. The platform served over 400,000 registered users and facilitated more than 1.5 million matches during its operational period.
The bankruptcy filing affects all ongoing and planned tournaments. Players who have outstanding prize money from recent competitions are advised to file claims through the appointed bankruptcy administrator. Currently, there is no official statement regarding the total amount of unpaid prizes or the number of affected players.
This development marks another setback for the Dota 2 competitive scene, which has seen several tournament organizers face financial difficulties in recent years. The closure impacts both professional players and amateur competitors who regularly participated in Epulze's events.
For participants with active subscriptions or pending transactions, the bankruptcy administrator will handle all financial matters. Users seeking refunds or having other financial claims should monitor official communications for instructions on the claim submission process.
The esports community has expressed concern about the growing trend of tournament organizer bankruptcies and its potential impact on the sustainability of competitive Dota 2, particularly in smaller regions where Epulze played a significant role in maintaining an active competitive scene.