In modern Dota, its rare to see games and matches go on for too long. Generally, we see a single map last around 30 to 60 minutes and as most pro games are best of three, things are wrapped up in around three hours tops most of the time.
However, sometimes we get an extreme, with maps lasting well into the two hour mark. Rarer still, we get entire series full of these marathon maps and that’s why we’re here today. Below, we’ll cover the longest Dota 2 games ever, focused on only the pro scene.
4. Complexity Gaming vs Team Archon (2016)
Our first entry dates back to 2016, with Complexity Gaming taking on Team Archon in the Shanghai Major Americas qualifier. Game 1 of the series lasted 131 minutes and 15 seconds, or 02:11:15 (HH:MM:SS), making it an insanely long start to a series.
Both teams clearly learned from their mistakes in this game, as the remaining two games of the series wrapped up in just over an hour, with much more action in the early stages. Interestingly, both teams ended up qualifying for the Major, so maybe their marathon was exactly what they needed for a warm up!
3. Gamin Gladiators vs Quest Esports (2023)
Coming to more modern times, the Bali Major in 2023 saw the third longest Dota 2 game ever, with Gamin Gladiators and Quest Esports going head to head. This came as somewhat of a surprise, as at the time Gamin were the most dominant team in the world, winning event after event, yet they were drawn into a deadlock by up-and-comers Quest.
The game lasted a whopping 136 minutes and 40 seconds, or 02:16:40 (HH:MM:SS), with mass Divine Rapiers, tons of buybacks, and shockingly, a Quest Esports upset victory.
2. Vega Squadron vs Team Empire (2017)
Running it back to the late 2010’s we get our second longest Dota 2 game ever. This time with the highest stakes yet, as a spot for The International was being fought for in the CIS qualifier. This game lasted an insane 140 minutes and 32 seconds, or 02:20:32 (HH:MM:SS)!
Again, this game saw just about everything Dota has to offer. Mass buyback, Mega creeps, Rapiers, everything! Vega did everything to hold on for as long as possible at the end, but were eventually worn down by Empire, who went on to secure a spot at The International.
1. Cloud9 vs Scaryfacez (2015)
Coming in as the longest Dota 2 game ever is Cloud9 vs Scaryfacez, in a spot that is very likely to never be taken. This game went on for a mind-blowing 200 minutes and 35 seconds, or 03:20:35 (HH:MM:SS) Yes, that’s right, over 3 hours! That’s almost an hour longer than second place!
Interestingly, the stakes for this game weren’t even that high. It was a qualifier for StarLadder StarSeries Season 12, game 2 of a round-robin group stage that would see two teams advancing from a group of four. Still, neither team wanted to give up, with eventually every Hero being maxed out on gold, and the game itself starting to fall apart. The game saw visual glitches like hero models being on fire and strange lighting effects.
The game ended up being so long, that even the VoD for it is split into two parts! You can check it out here: Part 1 and Part 2.
Longest Dota 2 Games Ever TL;DR
- Complexity Gaming vs Team Archon: 131m, 15s
- Gamin Gladiators vs Quest Esports: 136m, 40s
- Vega Squadron vs Team Empire: 140m, 32s
- Cloud9 vs Scaryfacez: 200m, 35s
