The Dota 2 International qualifiers have once again played a central role in defining the road to the world championship. The International 2025 will be hosted in Hamburg, Germany, with the competition running from September 4 to 14. The tournament is structured into two key phases, beginning with the Road to TI that includes a Swiss Stage and Elimination round, followed by the Playoffs that will take place at the Barclays Arena in front of a live audience. For competitors, the qualifiers were not just a hurdle but a defining challenge that determined which teams earned the right to represent their regions at one of esports’ most prestigious stages. For fans, these matches already provided an early glimpse into the intensity and unpredictability that makes The International such a global spectacle.
SummaryQuick Look
Direct Invites and an Unexpected Replacement
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As always, several of the strongest and most consistent teams across the Dota Pro Circuit earned their places at TI 2025 through direct invitations. Among them are Team Liquid, PARIVISION, BetBoom Team, Team Tidebound, Team Spirit, Team Falcons, and Tundra Esports. These squads have established themselves as elite contenders and were spared the tension of the qualifiers thanks to their proven track records. Yet, the calm was broken by a sudden twist in the narrative. Gaimin Gladiators, who were originally part of the invited group, withdrew due to unresolved internal issues, leaving their slot vacant. In a rare move, that slot was handed to Yakutou Brothers, the runner-up from the Chinese regional qualifiers. Their sudden elevation not only altered the team lineup but also added fresh intrigue, as few expected to see them in Hamburg. This storyline has already set the stage for one of the most unpredictable editions of The International in recent memory.
How the Regional Battles Unfolded
The path through the qualifiers was long and challenging, starting with open qualifiers that welcomed hopefuls from across the globe. These initial stages ran from May 31 to June 3, with China hosting its separate bracket from June 2 to 5. The open rounds were available only to players in good standing, a measure designed to preserve fairness and integrity within the competition. From there, the action shifted into the regional qualifiers, which were spread across three critical weeks in June.
Eastern Europe and South America took their turns from June 4 to 8, before China and North America entered the spotlight from June 9 to 12. Finally, Southeast Asia and Western Europe closed out the qualification cycle between June 13 and 17. Slot distribution reflected the relative strength of each region, with Western Europe and Southeast Asia each awarded two slots, while Eastern Europe, China, North America, and South America were each allocated one. By the end, the qualifiers had delivered a mix of familiar giants and fresh contenders: Natus Vincere and Nigma Galaxy for Western Europe, Aurora Gaming for Eastern Europe, Xtreme Gaming for China, Team Nemesis and BOOM Esports for Southeast Asia, Wildcard for North America, and HEROIC for South America. These results ensured that TI 2025 would once again feature a balance of powerhouse organizations and underdog challengers, each carrying their region’s hopes to Hamburg.
Format
The International 2025 will employ a format that is both demanding and unforgiving. The Group Stage, which runs from September 4 to 7, features all 16 teams in a Swiss format. Each series will be a best-of-three, and teams will always face opponents with the same win-loss record. The rules are simple but ruthless: any team that secures four wins will advance directly to the Playoffs, while those that suffer four losses will be eliminated outright. At the end of this stage, three teams will qualify automatically, while three others will exit the tournament, leaving ten to fight for survival.
Those remaining squads will clash in a Special Elimination Round, where higher seeds are matched against lower seeds in best-of-three series. The winners move forward to the Playoffs, and the losers are sent home, reducing the field to the final eight. From September 11 to 14, the Barclays Arena will host the Playoffs in a double-elimination bracket. Matches will continue to be played as best-of-threes until the Grand Final, which will expand to a best-of-five to determine the champion. This structure rewards consistency and resilience, demanding that teams adapt quickly and deliver under pressure, making every round a potential turning point in their journey.
A Prize Pool Shaped by Fans
The prize pool for TI 2025 begins with a base of $1.6 million contributed by Valve, but the true measure of its growth lies in community participation. This year, 30 percent of Supporter Bundle sales will be directed into the prize pool, an increase from the 25 percent share in previous editions. More significantly, 50 percent of sales will be distributed directly to teams and talent, providing a stable stream of support beyond just the headline numbers.
This shift in funding reflects an evolving approach to sustainability within Dota 2 esports. Rather than focusing solely on building the largest possible pool for winners, the Supporter Bundle system now ensures that players, organizations, and broadcasters all benefit more directly. For fans, it creates a stronger connection to the event, as every purchase has an immediate impact on both the prize money and the broader ecosystem. In this way, TI 2025 is not just a tournament but also a reflection of how the Dota 2 community continues to shape the future of its competitive scene.
Watching the International 2025
Fans will have multiple ways to follow the action as The International unfolds. Official English-language broadcasts will be available on both Twitch and YouTube, while regional streams in Russian, Chinese, and Spanish ensure that the event is accessible across different audiences. During the group stages, secondary channels will carry simultaneous matches so that no storyline is missed. For those able to attend in person, Hamburg’s Barclays Arena will provide the electric atmosphere that only a live TI can deliver. Together, these broadcast efforts make TI 2025 a truly global event, offering fans around the world the chance to experience the action in real time.
Narratives to Follow in Hamburg
As the tournament approaches, several storylines have already captured attention. The withdrawal of Gaimin Gladiators and the unexpected inclusion of Yakutou Brothers highlight just how unpredictable this year’s road to Hamburg has been. Western Europe looks poised for a strong showing with Team Liquid, Natus Vincere, and Nigma Galaxy all carrying significant momentum, while single-slot regions like North America and South America pin their hopes on Wildcard and HEROIC respectively. These underdogs may find themselves under immense pressure, but their presence adds depth to the competition.
The Swiss and Elimination system also introduces added drama, as teams cannot afford slow starts or prolonged struggles. Each victory brings them closer to the Playoffs, while every loss inches them toward elimination. Meanwhile, the impact of the Supporter Bundles ensures that fans are not just spectators but active participants in shaping the tournament. Taken together, these narratives make TI 2025 a convergence of competitive excellence, financial innovation, and global community spirit.
Conclusion – Dota 2 International qualifiers
With the qualifiers behind us and the final roster of teams confirmed, The International 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most compelling editions in the event’s history. The Dota 2 International qualifiers have once again defined the competitive landscape, giving rise to both powerhouse contenders and surprising challengers who earned their spots against the odds. From September 4 to 14, Hamburg will become the epicenter of Dota 2, where fans and players alike will witness not just another tournament but the continuation of a tradition that has come to symbolize the very best of esports competition.
The International 2025 — FAQ
Q1: When and where will TI 2025 be held? ▼
Q2: How many teams are competing at TI 2025? ▼
Q3: What regions get qualifier slots for TI 2025? ▼
Q4: How do Open Qualifiers work? ▼
Q5: Who organizes The International 2025? ▼
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