Dota 2 The International 2025 schedule, match, format, teams, prize pool, standing

Every year, The International is more than just a tournament—it is the heartbeat of the Dota 2 community. It’s where years of preparation, months of grueling qualifiers, and a lifetime of dreams collide on a single stage. In 2025, the world’s best teams converge in Hamburg, Germany, bringing with them the hopes of their regions, the cheers of millions of fans, and the unshakable belief that this might be their year.

This year’s edition promises not only fierce competition but also a reimagined journey through a Swiss-style opening, a razor’s-edge elimination round, and the high-stakes drama of a double-elimination playoff bracket. From the first clash in early September to the grand final beneath the roaring lights of Barclays Arena, The International 2025 is set to deliver unforgettable stories of resilience, strategy, and raw skill.

Whether you are a long-time veteran who has followed every patch note or a newcomer drawn by the spectacle, this is your guide to the teams, the schedule, the stakes, and the moments that will define this year’s battle for the Aegis of Champions.

Dota 2 – The International 2025 Overview

Dates & Venue

• Road to The International (Swiss Stage + Elimination Round): September 4–7, 2025.

• Main Event (Playoffs in Hamburg’s Barclays Arena): September 11–14, 2025.

• Overall duration: September 4 to September 14, 2025.

Format

• Swiss-style group stage: All 16 teams compete in best-of-three matches over several rounds.

• Elimination round: Teams that don’t qualify directly progress to a knockout-style round (also best-of-three) for remaining main event spots.

• Double-elimination playoffs: The remaining teams face off in the main event bracket, with all series best-of-three except the grand final, which is best-of-five.

Prize Pool

• Base prize pool: USD 1,600,000.

• Additional funding will likely be added via community crowdfunding mechanisms.

Teams (16 Qualifiers)

Direct Invites (8 teams):

• Team Liquid

• PARIVISION

• BetBoom Team (BB Team)

• All Gamers Global (formerly Team TideBound)

• Gaimin Gladiators

• Team Spirit

• Team Falcons

• Tundra Esports

Regional Qualifiers (8 teams):

• Western Europe (2): NAVI Junior, Nigma Galaxy

• Eastern Europe: Aurora Gaming

• China: Xtreme Gaming

• North America: Wildcard

• Southeast Asia (2): Team Nemesis, BOOM Esports

• South America: HEROIC

Swiss Stage Seeding & Format (“The Road to TI”)

• Swiss-system group stage (September 4–7, 2025):

  • 16 teams compete across five best-of-three rounds.

  • Each round, teams face opponents with identical win–loss records (e.g., 2–0 vs. 2–0).

  • After five rounds:

    • Teams with 4 wins advance directly to the Playoffs (three teams).

    • Teams with 4 losses are eliminated (three teams).

    • The remaining 10 teams enter a Special Elimination Round, where higher seeds face lower seeds in best-of-three matches. Five winners proceed to the Playoffs.

• Seeding Clarified:
  Playoff seeding is effectively determined by performance in both the Swiss stage and the elimination matches. Early success grants higher seeds and potentially easier matchups, though the elimination round still carries a high-stakes pressure.

Schedule Timings per Day

• Road to TI (Swiss + Elimination Rounds):
  Runs September 4–7, 2025, likely spanning multiple matches per day across several streams.

• Playoffs (“The International proper”):
  Takes place September 11–14, 2025 at Barclays Arena in Hamburg.

  • Format: Double-elimination bracket with all Playoff teams starting in the upper bracket.

  • All matches are best-of-three except the Grand Finals, which is best-of-five.

• Day-by-day specifics (e.g., number of matches per day, timing windows) are not publicly available yet—Valve typically publishes these closer to the event.

Where to Watch / Stream TI 2025

• Official Streams: Valve and PGL provide multiple simultaneous streams across platforms:

  • Twitch, YouTube, SteamTV, and in-game viewer are standard options.

  • Expect coverage in multiple languages (English, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, and potentially others).

• Regional Qualifiers (early June):
  These were streamed on platforms like PGL Twitch & YouTube, as well as on Kick and TikTok, with coverage by community casters such as Gorgc, Ramzes, and Ghostik.

• Community Hub Insight:
  “I think it’s going to be here: twitch.tv/dota2ti […] or find it under the Dota 2 category on Twitch.”—a Reddit user’s tip.

 

Summary Table