Valve has officially announced the eight teams that will receive direct invites to The International 2025, the most prestigious tournament on the Dota 2 competitive calendar. Returning champions like Team Liquid, Team Spirit, and Tundra Esports will once again contend for the legendary Aegis of Champions.
Set to take place in Hamburg, Germany, this fourteenth edition of the tournament will run from 4–14 September 2025. The final three days, including the Playoffs, will be hosted at the iconic Barclays Arena.
A New Format for a New Era
For this year’s edition, Valve is implementing a fresh competitive structure. The tournament will kick off with a five-round Swiss stage, followed by a streamlined Playoffs bracket limited to just eight teams. This tighter format aims to deliver even more intense, high-stakes matchups throughout the event.
Valve stated that the invited line-up represents teams that have clearly outshone their peers during the 2025 Dota 2 season. These selections include not just past champions but also rising stars who made waves at major tournaments this year.
Who’s In? The Full List of Direct Invites
Among the confirmed participants is Serbian organisation PARIVISION, who made headlines by clinching the ESL One Raleigh title in April. BetBoom Team also earned their spot after taking first place at FISSURE Universe: Episode 4.
Additionally, Chinese team Team Tidebound was recently acquired by All Gamers Global, coinciding with the announcement of their direct invitation. Below is the complete list of directly invited teams:
- Team Liquid
- PARIVISION
- BetBoom Team
- All Gamers Global (formerly Team Tidebound)
- Gaimin Gladiators
- Team Spirit
- Team Falcons
- Tundra Esports
Qualifiers Open the Door for More Competitors
The other eight positions in the tournament will be filled via regional qualifiers. Teams that haven’t secured a direct invite will first need to battle their way through Open Qualifiers, which are scheduled to run from 31 May to 3 June — except in China, where they will be held from 2–5 June.
Once the Open Qualifiers conclude, the Regional Qualifiers will determine who earns a final spot at The International 2025. The regional schedule is as follows:
- Eastern Europe (1 spot): 4–8 June
- South America (1 spot): 4–6 June
- China (1 spot): 9–12 June
- North America (1 spot): 9–12 June
- Western Europe (2 spots): 13–17 June
- Southeast Asia (2 spots): 13–17 June
Countdown to Hamburg Begins
With eight formidable teams already locked in and a fierce qualification path ahead for others, excitement is building for what promises to be another memorable chapter in Dota 2’s competitive legacy. Fans across the globe are now turning their attention to the qualifiers, eagerly watching to see who else will claim a seat at the table in Hamburg.