Top 3 longest Dota 2 games in history

The competitive Dota 2 scene has given rise to matches that redefine the limits of the Dota 2 timer. Notably, in 2024, the Dota 2 community witnessed what was then the longest series in the game’s esports history. The ESL One Birmingham 2024 China closed qualifier’s climactic showdown between Azure Ray and G2.iG marked the longest Dota 2 games series, demonstrating the pinnacle of competitive Dota 2.

However, this series, despite its duration, does not hold the title for the single longest Dota 2 game in professional play.

3. Gaimin Gladiators vs Quest Esports

Ranking as third in the list of the longest Dota 2 games in history, the Bali Major 2023 group stage witnessed the clash of Western European powerhouses between Gaimin Gladiators and Quest Esports. Lasting an astonishing two hours and 16 minutes, this match captured the hearts of Dota 2 enthusiasts worldwide.

It was a showcase of persistence as Gaimin Gladiators, the previous victors of the Lima and Berlin Major 2023, accumulated an impressive 14 Divine Rapiers and 11 Roshan kills. Despite their strategic buybacks on 42 occasions, and a significant total death time, Quest Esports ultimately bested the former in a decisive teamfight that pushed the limits of the longest Dota 2 game records.

2. Vega Squadron vs Team Empire

Prior to the Bali Major encounter, the second-longest Dota 2 game was held by Vega Squadron and Team Empire in June 2017. This pivotal match was critical for Team Empire, however, as a victory here would bring them closer to the International 2017 (TI7) finals. Despite a 49-minute battle in their previous encounter, both teams were unprepared for the marathon that ensued.

Vega Squadron, with a strategy emphasizing solo kills on Empire’s cores to deliberately prolong the game, displayed exceptional resilience. This match, reaching its peak after a critical engagement at the two hours and 20 minutes mark, solidified its place in the history of the longest Dota 2 game at the time.

1. The longest Dota 2 games in history: Cloud9 vs ScaryFaceZ occupies 1st spot

The title for the longest competitive Dota 2 game ever is firmly held by the unforgettable match between Cloud9 and ScaryFaceZ in March 2015, during the StarSeries Season 12: Europe and CIS Qualifiers. Lasting an unparalleled three hours and 20 minutes, this game is a testament to the incredible depth and complexity of the title. Featuring iconic players such as Johan “N0tail” Sundstein and Jacky “EternaLEnVy” Mao (now retired), alongside the emerging talent of Roman “RAMZES666” Kushnarev, the match was a marathon of strategic gameplay and endurance, culminating in an unexpected victory for ScaryFaceZ after an exhaustive 200 minutes of nail-biting gameplay.

Honorable Mention: The six-hour pub match

While pro matches often dominate discussions about the longest Dota 2 game, the casual pub match category has its own record-breaking moment. In February 2020, a pub match shattered expectations by lasting 6 hours and 8 minutes, featuring a mix of Heralds, Crusaders, and Archon players.

This fiesta, driven by a quest to set a new record for one of the longest Dota 2 games, involved selecting late-game heroes with permanent stat gain abilities and impeccable base defense heroes. Despite three Dire team players abandoning the forsaken match partway through, this match stands as a remarkable feat in Dota 2’s history, though we do not recommend anyone to attempt this for the general wellbeing of other players.