Western European powerhouse Tundra Esports have once again cemented their legacy in Dota 2, claiming their third straight BLAST Slam title after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Team Falcons in Singapore. The intense showdown at the Singapore Indoor Stadium delivered one of the most exciting Grand Finals of 2025, with Tundra rallying from the brink of defeat to secure their historic win.

The BLAST stage is their second home.

Congratulations, LEGENDS 🏆🔥 pic.twitter.com/NCZGtiJHJE

— BLAST Slam (@BLASTDota) November 9, 2025

A Grand Final for the Ages

BLAST Slam IV took place from October 14th to November 9th, 2025, featuring twelve of the world’s best Dota 2 teams. Both Tundra Esports and Team Falcons dominated the Group Stage with matching 9-2 records, but Tundra claimed the top seed after winning their first encounter against Falcons.

The Playoffs saw both squads begin in the semifinals, where Tundra reverse-swept MOUZ 2-1 while Falcons overpowered HEROIC 2-0, setting up a much-anticipated clash between two of Dota 2’s biggest forces.

The Grand Finals lived up to every bit of the hype. Team Falcons, the reigning The International 2025 champions, came out swinging, taking Game 1 in just 38 minutes behind Skiter’s Venomancer and Malr1ne’s Pangolier, who led a dominant 31-9 scoreline.

But Tundra immediately fired back in Game 2. Neta “33” Shapira on Timbersaw and Ivan “Pure” Moskalenko on Faceless Void led an equally one-sided response, tying the series 1-1 with near-perfect team play.

The Turning Point

Game 3 saw Falcons regain control, crushing Tundra 23-2 in only 26 minutes, with Skiter’s Abaddon, Malr1ne’s Monkey King, and ATF’s Doom combining for 20 kills without a single death between them. With the score at 2-1, Falcons looked poised to close out the series and claim the title.

However, Tundra had other plans. Game 4 turned into an unforgettable slugfest, featuring Pure on Morphling, bzm on Queen of Pain, and Whitemon on Bane. Falcons nearly secured victory with a Divine Rapier buy from Skiter, but Tundra pulled off a spectacular base defence, killing Skiter and turning the weapon against him. The Singapore crowd erupted as the series was pushed to a fifth and final game after a 46-minute classic.

The Decider: Destiny Repeats Itself

In a rare and incredible twist, both teams ran identical drafts to Game 4—something that has only happened once before in Dota 2 history. The tension was electric as the final game mirrored the previous one in pace and chaos.

Once again, Skiter bought a Divine Rapier in a desperate push to end the game. And once again, Tundra held firm, executing flawless coordination to repel Falcons’ assault and steal the Rapier for themselves. After 56 minutes of relentless action, Tundra emerged victorious, completing a miraculous comeback and lifting the BLAST Slam IV trophy.

Their triumph earned them US$300,000 in prize money, plus an additional US$100,000 in team earnings, while Team Falcons took home US$150,000 and US$50,000 in team bonuses.

Tundra Esports are your BLAST IV SINGAPORE CHAMPIONS 🏆🇸🇬 pic.twitter.com/qGGQsrWFYU

— BLAST Slam (@BLASTDota) November 9, 2025

Continuing Their BLAST Legacy

This marks Tundra Esports’ third consecutive BLAST Slam title, following victories in BLAST Slam II and BLAST Slam III earlier this year. Across all four tournaments held to date, Tundra have now claimed three trophies, solidifying their reputation as one of Dota 2’s most dominant modern rosters.

Their winning lineup of Pure, bzm, 33, Ari, and Whitemon continues to impress fans with their tactical depth, clutch mechanics, and sheer resilience under pressure.

What’s Next: BLAST Slam V in Chengdu

Fans won’t have to wait long for the next chapter. BLAST Slam V kicks off on 25 November 2025, featuring an online Group Stage and Play-In phase before heading to Chengdu, China, for the Playoffs at the Wuliangye Culture & Sports Center from 5 to 7 December.

With momentum on their side, Tundra Esports will enter as heavy favourites, but as BLAST Slam IV proved, anything can happen on the big stage.

The post Tundra Esports Win BLAST Slam IV After Incredible Comeback Over Team Falcons appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The stage is officially set for BLAST Slam IV, with all 12 Dota 2 teams locked in for the tournament kicking off on October 14th in Singapore.

BLAST confirmed the final slot has gone to BetBoom Team, joining a stacked roster of international powerhouses and regional champions competing for a share of the $1 million USD prize pool.

The Teams Competing at BLAST Slam IV

Seven teams have been directly invited, while five others fought their way through regional qualifiers. Here’s the full line-up:

Invited Teams:

• Talon Esports
• Team Liquid
• Team Falcons
• PARAVISION
• Tundra Esports
• Team Spirit
• BetBoom Team

Qualified Teams:

• HEROIC – Americas
• Natus Vincere – Europe
• Aurora Gaming – Europe
• Yakult Brothers – China
• Team Aureus – Southeast Asia

We now have our 12 teams for BLAST SLAM IV.

See you on Oct 14th. 🇸🇬 pic.twitter.com/Q47hS0nV44

— BLAST Slam (@BLASTDota) September 30, 2025

BetBoom’s Road Back

BetBoom Team enters the tournament with strong momentum. The squad lifted the trophy at PGL Wallachia Season 5 in June after a 3-1 win over Gaimin Gladiators, and earlier in April, they took down the same team 3-0 to win FISSURE Universe Episode 4.

Although BetBoom stumbled in past BLAST Slam events, they do have a history of success, having claimed the very first BLAST Slam title with a 3-1 victory over Tundra Esports. Now, they’ll be aiming to repeat that triumph on the Singapore stage.

Format and Schedule

The action begins with the online Group Stage from October 14th to 19th, where all 12 teams will battle it out in a best-of-one round robin format.

• The top two teams will head straight to the Semi-finals.
• Teams ranked third to eighth move into the Play-In stage.
• The remaining four are relegated to the Last Chance Playoffs, where only two will survive and rejoin the competition.

The Playoffs kick off on November 7th with a single-elimination bracket, leading up to the Grand Final on November 9th, where the BLAST Slam IV champion will be crowned.

Where to Watch

Fans can catch every match live on the official BLAST Slam Dota 2 Twitch and YouTube channels, with Singapore set to host what promises to be another thrilling chapter in the Dota 2 calendar.

The post BLAST Slam IV Dota 2 All 12 Teams Revealed appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

FISSURE has confirmed the first wave of directly invited teams for the upcoming FISSURE Playground 2 – Dota tournament in Belgrade, Serbia. With the closed qualifiers still underway, these squads won’t need to battle through early brackets and will head straight into the group stage.

The eight invited lineups are some of the biggest names in the Dota 2 scene: BetBoom Team, Parivision, Tundra Esports, Heroic, Nigma Galaxy, Team Liquid, Team Spirit, and Team Falcons. More teams will join them later once the qualifiers wrap up.

The group stage runs from 23 to 27 October, followed by the playoffs from 28 October to 2 November, all leading up to the grand showdown inside Belgrade’s Sava Centar. The venue’s Blue Hall can host 4,000 fans, ensuring plenty of space and atmosphere for Dota 2 supporters.

🏆Announcing the directly invited teams for FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2 — DOTA!

Less than a month left until the group stage of FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2 — DOTA kicks off!

While the closed qualifiers are still underway, we’re excited to announce the teams that will be directly invited to… pic.twitter.com/HWQbQ8GZlV

— FISSURE_ENG (@fissure_eng) September 28, 2025

A Million-Dollar Prize Pool

With a total US$1,000,000 prize pool, Playground 2 is one of the most lucrative Dota 2 events outside of The International. The tournament promises not only top-tier competition but also a festival-style fan experience, complete with autograph sessions, gaming zones, chill areas, and exclusive merchandise.

Ticket Information

Fans heading to Belgrade have three ticket options to choose from:

• Newbie Pass (1-day) – Access for a single day, free seating by sector, and entry to autograph sessions.
• Pro Pass (3-day) – Full access from 31 October to 2 November, free seating, and autograph sessions.
• Legend Pass (VIP 3-day) – Includes all access plus priority autograph sessions and a merch pack (hoodie, stickers, poster tube, pins, and keychain).

Tickets are already on sale through the official FISSURE Playground site.

Big Names in the Mix

The invited list features several heavy hitters with recent championship pedigree. Team Falcons, who recently claimed their first-ever Aegis of the Immortal by winning The International 2025, will be one of the headline attractions in Belgrade.

With the likes of Falcons, Team Spirit, and Team Liquid already confirmed, fans can expect fierce rivalries and plenty of hype heading into one of the final big tournaments before the year wraps up.

The post Eight Teams Receive Direct Invites for Dota FISSURE Playground 2 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Tundra Esports’ run at The International 2025 has ended after a 2-0 loss to South America’s Heroic in the first round of the lower bracket.

Thank you Hamburg 💙

Despite our best efforts, we are out of The International.

We want to thank everyone who cheered us on. Huge props to Tobi for a last minute cover, props to everyone really.

We will rise again. GGs 🫰 pic.twitter.com/ZwXVuQXcSz

— TUNDRA (@TundraEsports) September 12, 2025

The Western European side, who only days ago knocked out defending champions Team Liquid in the Play-ins, exit TI 2025 in 7th-8th place and take home just over US$104,000. Heroic, meanwhile, secure a Top 6 finish and at least US$130,000, marking the best placement for a South American team at TI since Thunder Awaken’s run in 2022.

A Difficult Start for Tundra

Tundra’s playoff journey was tough from the outset. They dropped to the lower bracket after a 2-0 defeat to tournament favourites Xtreme Gaming on the opening day. Heroic also entered the lower bracket after being swept aside by Eastern Europe’s Parivision.

Despite being favoured heading into the series, Tundra never looked comfortable against Heroic. Game one was over in under 34 minutes, while game two dragged out to 46 minutes but ended in the same result. Heroic’s fast, risk-taking playstyle caught Tundra off guard, something Neta “33” Shapira admitted in a post-match interview.

“I think they just play a lot differently to pretty much all the top teams right now… They are always ready to take risks. We got caught off guard by it, even though we knew it was coming,” 33 said. He also apologised to fans, adding, “I know it was a disappointing end to the season for us… Sorry it had to end this way.”

The Whitemon Visa Blow

Tundra’s preparation for TI 2025 was derailed before the tournament even began. Support player Matthew “Whitemon” Filemon was unable to attend due to visa issues, forcing the team to draft in Tobias “Tobi” Buchner as a last-minute stand-in just three days before the event.

While Tobi impressed in earlier appearances for Team Liquid earlier this year, the synergy wasn’t enough at Dota 2’s biggest stage. Still, Tundra managed to get through the Play-ins and delivered a major upset by knocking out Liquid, who had entered the tournament as one of the favourites. That result only amplified the sting of their early playoff exit.

What’s Next for Tundra?

Tundra’s elimination has sparked debate among fans about whether the roster needs changes. Some point to Whitemon’s absence as the deciding factor, while others argue deeper issues were exposed, particularly the team’s struggles to hold control in the mid-to-late game.

Neta “33” Shapira praised Tobi for his contribution, saying the stand-in “played amazing,” but the overall result adds to concerns about Tundra’s declining form. Earlier this year, the team lifted multiple trophies, including BLAST Slam II & III and Fissure Playground 1, but their momentum has noticeably slowed as 2025 has gone on.

For Heroic, the dream continues. Their upset over Tundra has already written South American Dota 2 history, and with a Top 6 finish locked in, they’ll be looking to push even further when they face one of the upper bracket semifinal losers in the next round.

The post Tundra Esports Eliminated from TI 2025 Playoffs First appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

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.

Team Liquid are the Grand Champions of The International 2024. Congratulations. #TI13 #Dota2 pic.twitter.com/CC8KQlG4A6

— Wykrhm Reddy (@wykrhm) September 15, 2024

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.

The Road to The International 2025 kicks off with Round 1 in Hamburg on September 4! Here are the tournament’s opening matchups on 4 streams.

Check the Format: https://t.co/aSUngBbOfb … and the Rules: https://t.co/o0NwPROgFB#Dota2 #TI2025 pic.twitter.com/Yvsp7tKFH7

— The International (@dota2ti) September 2, 2025

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.

The post The International 2025: Opening Fixtures, Format, and Late Drama appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The countdown to The International 2025 has been rocked by some late drama, with Tundra Esports confirming a last-minute change to their Dota 2 roster just days before the tournament kicks off in Hamburg, Germany.

TI Roster Statement pic.twitter.com/PbRFfauK4t

— TUNDRA (@TundraEsports) August 31, 2025

Originally, Indonesian support player Matthew “Whitemon” Filemon was set to compete with Tundra at TI14, but the organisation revealed on August 31st that visa complications have sidelined him. Despite “every attempt” to secure his entry, circumstances beyond both Tundra and Whitemon’s control prevented him from travelling.

In a video message on social media, Whitemon admitted he was gutted to be missing the biggest Dota 2 event of the year, saying he’ll still support his teammates as a fan and return to action for their next tournament. His absence also marks the first time since 2021 that Indonesia won’t be represented at The International.

A message from @Whitemon22 regarding our last update.

TI won’t be the same without you. We’ll see you soon Matthew 💙 pic.twitter.com/W6PqOs7NVU

— TUNDRA (@TundraEsports) August 31, 2025

Tobi steps in as stand-in

To fill the gap, Tundra has called in Austrian offlaner Tobias “Tobi” Buchner. While the timing is far from ideal with TI starting on September 4th, Tobi is no stranger to the big stage. Just in July, he helped Team Liquid lift the FISSURE Universe 5 trophy, and according to Tundra, he’s already been practising with the squad in recent days.

Pack your stuff Tobi, TI Tundra needs you! 😌 pic.twitter.com/aVPgkEj0rx

— TUNDRA (@TundraEsports) September 1, 2025

The current Tundra Esports roster for The International 2025 is:

• Remco “Crystallis” Arets
• Bozhidar “bzm” Bogdanov
• Neta “33” Shapira
• Martin “Saksa” Sazdov
• Tobias “Tobi” Buchner

Can Tundra stay in contention?

Tundra Esports enter TI14 as one of the favourites, especially after lifting the BLAST Slam III trophy in July and finishing runner-up at the Clavision Masters 2025 last month. But Whitemon was instrumental in their third-place finish at last year’s International, and losing him so close to the start of the tournament raises questions about whether the team can replicate that success.

This roster shake-up is just the latest twist in a turbulent lead-up to Hamburg. Earlier in August, Wilson “poloson” Koh was ruled out due to injury, while Gaimin Gladiators shocked the scene by pulling out of the tournament entirely over contractual disputes. Valve later confirmed that Chinese squad Yakutou Brothers would step in to replace them, joining Team Tidebound and Xtreme Gaming as the region’s three representatives.

A rocky road to Hamburg

Despite the setbacks, Tundra’s adaptability could be the key to staying competitive. With Tobi slotting into the lineup, the team has little time to adjust but plenty of talent to work with. Whether they can hold onto their championship ambitions or stumble under the pressure will be one of the biggest storylines to watch when The International 2025 kicks off on September 4th.

The post Indonesian Star Whitemon Misses The International 2025 as Tundra Esports Confirm Late Roster Change appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

BLAST is bringing its Dota 2 Slam series to China for the very first time, with Slam V officially confirmed for Chengdu this December. The tournament will run from 5th to 7th December 2025 at the Wuliangye Chengdu Performing Arts Centre, a massive 12,000-seat arena that’s ready to welcome some of the best teams in the world.

The event marks BLAST’s debut in mainland China and comes as part of a three-year partnership with the Chengdu Broadcasting Film and Television Group. With this deal, BLAST aims to deliver more top-tier Dota 2 events in the region, combining its global reputation with Chengdu’s fast-growing esports scene.

Not just a one off!

BLAST has partnered with Chengdu Television & Media Company in a 3-year agreement, bringing BLAST to Chengdu beyond just 2025.@JamesWoollard1 said: “We can’t wait to create landmark esports moments this December and beyond part of a multi-year partnership.” pic.twitter.com/yKN27wQvzk

— BLAST (@BLASTEsports) August 28, 2025

$1 Million Prize Pool and Global Broadcast

BLAST Dota 2 Slam V will feature 12 teams battling it out for a share of $1,000,000 USD (~£740,000 GBP) in what will be the final Slam event of the year. Direct invites have already gone out to teams like Tundra Esports, HEROIC, Team Spirit, Team Falcons, Parivision, and Team Liquid.

Fans worldwide will be able to catch the action, with the event being broadcast across 50+ territories and in more than 30 languages.

Team Spirit are currently viewed as the frontrunners heading into Chengdu, but Team Falcons have momentum on their side. The Falcons recently defeated Team Spirit at Fissure Universe: Episode 6, showing they have what it takes to cause an upset.

Chengdu’s Rise as an Esports Hotspot

Chengdu has quickly become one of the hottest esports cities in Asia. The BLAST Slam V will join a packed esports calendar for the city, which also includes:

• IEM Chengdu 2025 (Counter-Strike 2) running from 7th to 9th November.
• League of Legends World Championship Final on 9th November.

By December, Chengdu will have hosted three of the biggest esports events in the world, putting millions of eyes on the city and solidifying its reputation as a global esports hub.

A New Chapter for BLAST

This year alone, BLAST has expanded into several new markets. In May, the organiser hosted its first US event, followed by a multi-year deal with the Singapore Tourism Board in August. With Slam V in Chengdu, BLAST is continuing its push across Asia.

Speaking about the move into China, James Woollard, Director of Market Development at BLAST, said:

“We are incredibly proud to bring BLAST’s first-ever event in mainland China to Chengdu, a city with rich culture, cutting-edge infrastructure, a history of live entertainment and a growing reputation for gaming and esports. Partnering with Chengdu Television and Media Company allows us to combine our global competitive entertainment pedigree with trusted local expertise to deliver something truly special.”

Local partners also see it as more than just an esports event. Zhou Wenwen, General Manager of Chengdu Broadcasting Film and Television Group, described the Slam as an “important opportunity to showcase Chengdu as an international cultural, sports and entertainment destination.”

Looking Ahead

With BLAST Slam V closing out the year in Chengdu, fans can expect a high-energy tournament, a stacked lineup of teams, and the chance to see who ends 2025 on top of the Dota 2 world. For BLAST, it’s another milestone in its worldwide expansion, and for Chengdu, it’s yet another chance to shine as the home of some of the biggest esports tournaments on the planet.

The post BLAST Dota 2 Slam V Heads to Chengdu This December for First-Ever China Tournament appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Singapore is set to host another massive Dota 2 showdown, and BLAST are pulling no punches with the lineup. BLAST Slam IV Playoffs will take over the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 7–9 November 2025, packing a $1,000,000 prize pool and some of the biggest names in the game.

The event lands just weeks after The International 2025 (4–14 September), meaning fans will see these squads roll straight from Dota’s biggest stage into another high-stakes battle. Depending on how TI shakes out, we could see rivalries renewed and storylines carry over into Singapore.

Seven of the 12 teams have already secured direct invites:

• Team Liquid
• Team Falcons
• Parivision
• Tundra Esports
• Team Spirit
• Talon Esports (Local Region Hero Invite)
• HEROIC (Americas Invite)

The remaining four slots will be decided through regional qualifiers in Europe, China, and Southeast Asia, wrapping up on 5 October.

The heavy hitters

Team Spirit arrive fresh from winning the Esports World Cup and head into TI 2025 as tournament favourites. If they carry that form into Singapore, they’ll be the ones to beat. Tundra Esports, champions of Slam III, have had some shaky results lately but still have the pedigree to go all the way.

Tundra Esports the Champion of Blast Slam III | Image Credit: BLAST

For the home crowd, Talon Esports will be the fan favourites as the SEA representatives, and you can bet the arena will be buzzing when they step up.

Format and schedule

The tournament kicks off with a best-of-one round robin group stage from 8 October to 1 November:

• Top 2: Advance straight to the Semi-finals
• 3rd–8th: Move to the Play-In Stage
• Rest: Drop to the Last Chance Playoffs

The Last Chance Playoffs winner joins the Play-In, and the Play-In winner earns a Quarter-finals spot. From 7 November, it’s a single-elimination playoff all the way to the Slam IV grand final on 9 November.

Singapore’s esports push

BLAST Slam IV is part of a four-event deal between BLAST and the Singapore Tourism Board to make Singapore a top esports hub in the region. Last year’s BLAST Premier World Final for Counter-Strike proved the city can host world-class esports events, now it’s Dota 2’s turn.

Make sure to grab your tickets as we look ahead to our FIRST BLAST Slam Arena event!

🇸🇬 Singapore
🏟️ Singapore Indoor Stadium
📅 7th-9th November

🎟️ https://t.co/FMdoe25kqN pic.twitter.com/7BUtPshYVA

— BLAST Slam (@BLASTDota) July 22, 2025

Fans can watch live at the Singapore Indoor Stadium or tune in worldwide via BLAST Slam Dota 2’s Twitch and YouTube channels, with coverage across more than 50 territories in 12 languages.

The post BLAST Slam IV Dota 2 Singapore’s Direct Invites Have Been Announced appeared first on Shane the Gamer.