No SEA rep in PGL Wallachia Season 3 as Nigma Galaxy replace Talon Esports

Image: BLAST

In an unexpected twist, Nigma Galaxy will be stepping in to compete in the upcoming PGL Wallachia Season 3.

Southeast Asia’s Talon Esports recently announced their withdrawal from the upcoming PGL Wallachia Season 3. The team, which would have been the sole representative from Southeast Asia in the tournament, revealed that they opted to miss out on PGL Wallachia Season 3 to complete VISA applications to ensure their participation in future tournaments.

“Due to visa application requirements for other major tournaments, we have had to make the tough decision and withdraw from PGL Wallachia Season 3,” Talon announced.

Talon has already secured invites to major tier-one events like PGL Wallachia Season 4 in April and ESL One Raleigh 2025 in May. With several high-profile international events ahead, the team is focused on securing its logistics before proceeding with the rest of the season.

Nigma Galaxy to replace Talon Esports

Talon’s last-minute withdrawal, just five days before the tournament's start, has left a vacant slot among the participants. PGL has already confirmed that Middle Eastern team Nigma Galaxy will fill in the spot vacated by the Southeast Asian team.

Nigma Galaxy had previously competed in the Western European qualifier for the event, finishing third behind AVULUS and OG, both of which qualified.

This surprise invitation is sure to draw attention to PGL Wallachia Season 3, as Nigma Galaxy had been on the rise with impressive performances recently. However, it’s worth noting that the team will likely be without their star carry player Amer “Miracle-” Al-Barkawi, with Daniel Chan “Ghost” Kok Hong to be his stand-in for the foreseeable future.

While Nigma Galaxy fans have reason to celebrate, the news leaves a bittersweet reality for Southeast Asian Dota enthusiasts. Talon Esports' withdrawal means no teams from the region will be competing in PGL Wallachia Season 3. This fact also comes on the heels of Aurora Gaming's recent reformation, shifting from a SEA-based roster to a full Eastern European lineup.

PGL Wallachia Season 3 will take place from 8 to 16 March, featuring 16 teams, including top contenders like Team Spirit and Tundra Esports, all vying for a coveted US$1 million prize pool.