The International is coming back to Germany, marking its return since the inaugural event in 2011. Image via Valve
After 14 years, The International is set to return to Germany.
The International is the pinnacle championship for Dota 2, known for its unparalleled prize pool compared to other tournaments. Despite changes made by Valve, including replacing the battle pass with a compendium for funding, the event retains its excitement and prestige.
In 2025, The International will be held in Germany for the first time since its debut at GamesCom in Cologne 14 years ago. The first TI event featured a record-setter prize pool, showcasing the competitive nature of esports and has maintained its status through the years.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming TI 2025.
Format and Teams for Dota 2 TI 2025
Similar to the previous year’s configuration, TI 2025 will be divided into three segments. However, the format will deviate from 2024’s group stages that transitioned into seeding deciders. This year will commence with a Swiss stage, followed by an elimination phase, ultimately leading to the main event featuring eight teams.
- Swiss Bracket
- All 16 teams will compete in five rounds, utilizing a best-of-three match format. The first round will be seeded randomly, while subsequent rounds will be categorized by win-loss records.
- The top three teams with four wins will advance to the main event, while the bottom three with four losses will be eliminated, and ten teams ranked fourth to thirteenth will move into the elimination round.
- Elimination Round
- The highest-ranking teams will face the lowest-ranked teams from the Swiss bracket. For instance, the fourth-ranked team from the Swiss bracket will compete against the thirteenth-ranked team.
- This round will consist of elimination matches, where the losing teams are ousted, and winning teams move onward to the main event.
- Five best-of-three matches will take place, resulting in five teams eliminated while the other five secure spots for the final eight teams.
- Main Event
- Featuring a double-elimination format with best-of-three matches.
- Teams that lose in the upper bracket will transition to the lower bracket. Once eliminated from the lower bracket, teams are no longer in the tournament.
- The grand final will consist of a best-of-five match.
Valve has recently disclosed the invited teams for TI2025, totaling eight invites while the remaining eight teams will qualify through regional qualifiers. Two slots are open for Western Europe and Southeast Asia, while Eastern Europe, North America, South America, and China will each have one slot available.
Here’s the complete roster of teams set to participate in TI2025:
| Team | Roster | Qualification Method |
|---|---|---|
| Team Liquid | miCKe, Nisha, SabeRLight, Boxi, Insania | Invitation |
| PARIVISION | Satanic, No[o]ne, DM, 9Class, Dukalis | Invitation |
| BetBoom Team | Pure, gpk~, MieRo`, Save-, Kataomi | Invitation |
| Team Tidebound | shiro, NothingToSay, Bach, planet, y` | Invitation |
| Gaimin Gladiators | watson, Quinn, Ace, tOfu, Malady | Invitation |
| Team Spirit | Yatoro, Larl, Collapse, rue, Miposhka | Invitation |
| Team Falcons | skiter, Malr1ne, ATF, Cr1t-, Sneyking | Invitation |
| Tundra Esports | Crystallis, bzm, 33, Saksa, Whitemon | Invitation |
| TBD | TBD | Regional Qualifiers – Western Europe |
| TBD | TBD | Regional Qualifiers – Western Europe |
| Team Nemesis | Akashi, Mac, Raven, Jing, Erice | Regional Qualifiers – Southeast Asia |
| TBD | TBD | Regional Qualifiers – Southeast Asia |
| Aurora Gaming | Nightfall, kiyotaka, TORONTOTOKYO, Mira, panto | Regional Qualifiers – Eastern Europe |
| Xtreme Gaming | Ame, Xm, Xxs, XinQ, poloson | Regional Qualifiers – China |
| HEROIC | Yuma, 4nalog, Wisper, Scofield, KJ | Regional Qualifiers – South America |
| Wildcard | Yamsun, RCY, Fayde, Bignum, Speeed | Regional Qualifiers – Eastern Europe |
Schedule for Dota 2 TI 2025
While the comprehensive timetable for each match has not yet been released, Valve has affirmed the dates for different phases of the tournament. Here’s the projected schedule for The International 2025:
- Road to The International (Swiss stage and elimination round): September 4 to 7, 2025
- The International (Main Event): September 11 to 14, 2025
Tickets for the main event can be purchased, allowing fans to attend the matches live at the Barclays Arena in Hamburg, Germany.
Currently, the closed regional qualifiers for TI2025 are ongoing, with the schedule for each region as follows:
- Eastern Europe: June 4 to 8
- South America: June 4 to 8
- North America: June 9 to 12
- China: June 9 to 12
- Southeast Asia: June 13 to 17
- Western Europe: June 13 to 17
A complete list of matches can also be found in the hub for all qualified teams participating in The International.
Prize Pool for Dota 2 TI 2025
Although precise details are not yet available due to the nature of crowdfunding, it is anticipated that TI 2025 will commence with a base prize pool of $1.6 million. This figure could increase, with the rate of growth being influenced by the content in the tournament-specific compendium, as earnings from this will contribute to the prize pool.
Viewing TI 2025
The International 2025 will be available for live streaming on multiple channels, including Twitch and YouTube. The best way to catch all the action is via the official Dota 2 or The International channels on either platform for live updates on the event.
