In the intense atmosphere of the Riyadh Masters 2025, where top Dota 2 teams compete for a colossal $3 million prize pool as part of the Esports World Cup, professional players must navigate not just strategic battles but sometimes, unexpected logistical hurdles. For Egor “Nightfall” Grigorenko, the accomplished carry for Aurora Gaming, one such hurdle involved a surprising directive regarding his wardrobe choice during matches.
The incident came to light during a team vlog, capturing a conversation between Nightfall and his teammates, including Vitaly “Kiyotaka” Aleshkov, and an unidentified person. The topic? Nightfall`s preference for light-colored trousers.
“Something funny happened with his pants, right?” the person off-camera prompted.
Kiyotaka responded, confirming it was about Nightfall and admitting, “To be honest, I didn`t know the rule either, that we have to play in black pants.”
This revelation immediately sparked a typical player reaction from Nightfall, who initially seemed ready to challenge the rule. “I`ll still insist on playing in these [light] pants,” he stated.
However, the off-camera voice was firm: “No, no, you can`t, brother.”
Puzzled, Nightfall pressed, “Why?”
The explanation offered was particularly noteworthy, bordering on the bizarre for esports attire: “In Saudi Arabia, the law prohibits men from wearing light-colored pants.”
This explanation caught Nightfall completely off guard. “What? Why is this only being mentioned now? And you can`t even see the pants.”
The reply highlighted a practical, albeit slightly humorous, counterpoint: “You can see them. You lift your leg, Egor.”
To which Nightfall, perhaps realizing the futility or simply amused, quipped with a smile, “Okay, I won`t lift it.”
While the exchange provides a moment of levity, it raises questions about the actual rules in place. The official dress code for Riyadh Masters 2025 and other Esports World Cup events does stipulate guidelines for players` attire. These rules emphasize uniform appearance among teammates, require long trousers and closed-toe shoes, and prohibit items like headwear and clothing with offensive symbols or rival team logos. Violations can indeed result in penalties, including fines starting at $250 deducted from winnings or even being prevented from playing until the dress code is met.
Interestingly, a review of these official regulations reveals no specific mention of a ban on light-colored trousers based on local law or any other rationale. The rule appears to be either a misunderstanding, a specific internal team directive based on cautious interpretation, or perhaps an unwritten guideline enforced at the event that isn`t explicitly detailed in the public-facing rulebook.
Regardless of the exact origin of the “light pants ban,” the situation serves as a peculiar footnote in the professional journey of one of Dota 2`s top carries at a premier event. While the world watches Aurora Gaming battle for millions on the Riyadh stage, Nightfall is apparently ensuring his lower half adheres to specific – and somewhat mysterious – sartorial standards, proving that even at the highest level of esports, dress code can sometimes be as challenging as the opponent.