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Valve has officially revealed the opening fixtures for The International 2025, Dota 2’s season-ending esports tournament. Kicking off on Thursday, September 4th, 16 teams from around the world will battle it out in Hamburg, Germany, for the Aegis of Champions and a shot at glory.

Defending champions return

One of the biggest storylines heading into this year’s competition is the return of Team Liquid. After sweeping Gaimin Gladiators 3-0 in last year’s final, the defending champions will begin their title defence against BOOM Esports, who secured their spot through the Southeast Asian qualifiers.

Joining Team Liquid among the favourites are Team Spirit, fresh from their Esports World Cup victory, Team Falcons, BetBoom, and PARIVISION. All eyes will be on these invited teams, with many fans and Dota 2 betting enthusiasts tipping them as strong contenders.

Notable opening matches

The International always kicks off with some exciting clashes, and this year is no exception. Here are some of the must-watch fixtures on September 4th (times BST):

  • Aurora Gaming vs Xtreme Gaming (Stream A, 11am)
  • Team Spirit vs Wildcard (Stream B, 11am)
  • Team Falcons vs Team Nemesis (Stream C, 11am)
  • Tundra Esports vs Yakutou Brothers (Stream D, 11am)
  • PARIVISION vs HEROIC (Stream A, 2pm)
  • Team Liquid vs BOOM Esports (Stream B, 2pm)
  • BetBoom vs Nigma Galaxy (Stream C, 2pm)
  • Team Tidebound vs NAVI Jr (Stream D, 2pm)

For Team Spirit, their opener against Wildcard marks another test after the North American side’s impressive third-place finish at European Pro League Season 28. Meanwhile, Team Falcons, who narrowly missed out on lifting the Esports World Cup on home soil, will face Team Nemesis, a squad with two Southeast Asian qualifier victories under its belt.

Fans will also keep a close eye on NAVI Jr as they take on Team Tidebound, one of three Chinese teams at the tournament. Tidebound enter with momentum after winning Clavision Masters 2025: Snow-Ruyi.

Late twists before The International 2025

In true Dota 2 fashion, the build-up to TI hasn’t been without surprises. Just days before the opening matches, Tundra Esports confirmed that Matthew “Whitemon” Filemon would not be able to compete due to visa issues. The Indonesian support player expressed his disappointment in a heartfelt video, calling it “heart-breaking to miss the biggest event of the year.”

Adding to the drama, last year’s runners-up Gaimin Gladiators officially withdrew from the competition in late August. Co-founder Nick Cuccovillo revealed that contractual disputes between the players and the organisation made it impossible for the team to participate. Their spot was filled by Yakutou Brothers, who now have the daunting task of facing Tundra Esports in their debut.

Format of The International 2025

This year’s TI will once again feature a Group Stage followed by the Playoffs.

  • Group Stage (Sept 4 onwards): All 16 teams will compete in a Swiss system. Opponents are determined by win-loss records.
  • Advancement: The top three teams from the Group Stage move straight to the Playoffs. Teams finishing 4th to 13th will enter an elimination round, where five more spots in the Playoffs are up for grabs.
  • Playoffs: The eight qualified teams will compete in a double-elimination bracket to crown the champion.

A stage set for history

With defending champions Team Liquid aiming to go back-to-back, Team Spirit chasing a third TI title, and new challengers like Team Nemesis and Yakutou Brothers eager to prove themselves, The International 2025 promises another unforgettable chapter in Dota 2 history.

Hamburg is about to host the world’s best teams, and fans are ready for weeks of high-level Dota, dramatic storylines, and perhaps a few more surprises along the way.