OG and Natus Vincere Advance Directly to BLAST Slam VI Semifinals as Last Chance Playoffs Begin in Malta

Southeast Asia's OG and Eastern Europe's Natus Vincere have topped the group stage at BLAST Slam VI in Malta, securing direct advancement to the semifinals and bypassing the grueling Last Chance Playoffs that began on February 6, 2026. The two powerhouse organizations dominated the 12-team group stage from February 3-5, earning the top seeds and positioning themselves as favorites to claim the $300,000 first-place prize from the tournament's $1 million total purse.

OG, the two-time International champions who revolutionized Dota 2 with their innovative playstyle, demonstrated their continued excellence by navigating the group stage without dropping a series. The Southeast Asian squad, featuring a mix of veteran leadership and young talent, showcased the team cohesion and strategic depth that has made them one of the most successful organizations in esports history. Their direct advancement to the semifinals gives them crucial extra preparation time and avoids the potential upset scenarios that can occur in elimination matches.

Natus Vincere, the legendary Eastern European organization with a storied history across multiple esports titles, matched OG's dominant performance to claim the other direct semifinal spot. The CIS region has long been a Dota 2 powerhouse, and NAVI's performance in Malta reinforces their status as one of the game's elite teams. Their group stage success was built on aggressive early-game strategies and clinical late-game execution, leaving opponents with few answers to their multifaceted approach.

While OG and NAVI enjoy a break before the semifinals scheduled for February 13-15, eight other teams entered the crucible of the Last Chance Playoffs and Play-Ins on February 6. This double-elimination bracket will run through February 8, with four teams surviving to advance to the quarterfinals. The format creates intense pressure, as a single bad series can end a team's tournament run and cost them a share of the substantial prize pool. Teams that finished in the middle of the group standings now face must-win scenarios against hungry opponents looking to punch their ticket to the playoff bracket.

The BLAST Slam VI tournament represents one of the premier Dota 2 events of the early 2026 season, attracting top teams from across the globe to the BLAST Studio in Malta. The $1 million prize pool makes it one of the most lucrative tournaments outside of Valve's Major system, and the competition level reflects those stakes. For organizations, strong performances at events like BLAST Slam VI are crucial for securing invitations to The International and other premier tournaments later in the year.

As the Last Chance Playoffs unfold over the next three days, analysts expect fierce competition from teams desperate to extend their tournament lives. While OG and NAVI have already proven their elite status with the group stage performances, the teams fighting through the lower bracket have everything to prove. The winner of BLAST Slam VI will emerge on February 15, with $300,000 and significant circuit points on the line for the champions.