Dota 2: Gaimin Gladiators withdraw from The International 2025

In a stunning turn of events, Gaimin Gladiators announced that they had withdrawn from The International 2025 (TI12), leaving one of Dota 2’s biggest stages without one of the most dominant teams of recent years. Valve confirmed the decision on August 22, citing unresolved internal issues between the organization and their players.

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The announcement comes as a major shock to the Dota 2 community. Gaimin Gladiators were widely considered strong contenders in Hamburg after back-to-back runner-up finishes at The International in 2023 and 2024, as well as claiming the Riyadh Masters 2024 title. In total, the team has earned millions in prize money and made history by winning three consecutive Majors in 2023—a feat not seen since OG’s legendary run in 2016-2017.

However, 2025 has been a rollercoaster. While the Gladiators secured podium finishes at PGL Wallachia 5 and Blast Slam II, they also posted poor results elsewhere, including a disastrous showing at Fissure Universe Episode 6, where they logged a 2-6 group stage record and suffered a 13-minute loss to Falcons—the fastest of the event.

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Nick Cuccovillo, co-founder and President of Gaimin Gladiators, confirmed the decision on X. “I want to share that Gaimin Gladiators won’t be competing at TI this year. Some internal matters between the players and the organization made it impossible for us to move forward with a roster. For now, I can’t go into more detail as there are legal considerations involved, but I’ll share more when I’m able to.”

Valve also revealed that the players were offered a chance to compete independently, but contractual clauses prevented them from participating without the organization’s consent. This is only the second time in The International’s history that a qualified team has withdrawn so close to the event, the first being MUFC in 2012.

The timing is particularly jarring—Gaimin Gladiators posted a countdown to TI just hours before the news broke. Valve is now determining a replacement, with OG rumored to be the frontrunner based on qualifier performance.

The future of one of Dota 2’s most decorated rosters now hangs in the balance, as legal proceedings and internal negotiations continue behind closed doors.