Competing at the highest level of esports involves intense practice, strategic planning, and nerves of steel. But sometimes, the biggest challenges come not from opposing teams, but from unexpected sources – like wardrobe regulations.
Such was the curious case recently involving Egor “Nightfall” Grigorenko, the talented carry player for Aurora Gaming, during the high-stakes Riyadh Masters 2025 Dota 2 tournament. Amidst the million-dollar prize pool and fierce competition, a rather peculiar dress code issue reportedly surfaced, revolving specifically around Nightfall`s choice of legwear.
The situation came to light via a team vlog, capturing a discussion between Nightfall and his teammates, including Kiyotaka, and a person behind the camera. The topic? Nightfall allegedly being informed he wouldn`t be allowed to wear light-colored pants during his matches.
“A funny thing happened with his pants, right?” the off-camera voice prompts. Kiyotaka admits he was also unaware of any rule mandating black pants. Nightfall, seemingly taken aback, humorously pushed back, stating he intended to wear his light ones. He was met with a firm “No, no, you can`t, brother.”
The alleged reason given for this prohibition, as relayed in the vlog, added another layer of bewilderment: it was claimed that there was a law in Saudi Arabia prohibiting men from wearing light-colored pants. This explanation prompted Nightfall`s incredulous response: “What? Why are they only saying this now? You can`t even see the pants anyway.”
The off-camera voice countered, pointing out that players lift their legs, making the pants visible. Nightfall`s lighthearted reply – “Then I won`t lift it” – capped off the slightly absurd exchange.
Now, let`s consult the official regulations. The dress code for Riyadh Masters 2025, part of the larger Esports World Cup framework, does indeed stipulate certain requirements for players. It mandates team uniform consistency, requires long trousers and closed-toe shoes, and prohibits headwear and clothing with conflicting team logos or offensive content. Penalties for non-compliance can include fines (starting at $250) or being barred from a match until the issue is corrected.
However, conspicuously absent from these official rules is any mention of a restriction based on the *color* of the pants, specifically prohibiting light shades. This discrepancy suggests that the reason cited in the vlog – a general law in Saudi Arabia – was likely a misunderstanding or a miscommunication specific to this particular situation, rather than a documented tournament rule or widespread legal statute concerning menswear color.
The Riyadh Masters 2025 is a significant event, taking place from July 8 to 19 in Saudi Arabia, featuring 16 top teams battling for a substantial $3 million prize pool. While the stakes are incredibly high on the virtual battlefield, this small incident serves as a reminder that sometimes, even at the pinnacle of competitive gaming, unexpected real-world issues – like wardrobe choices – can briefly steal the spotlight. It adds a touch of human, slightly bureaucratic comedy to the otherwise intense world of professional esports.
Finley Holt