Dota 2 The International 2025: Opening matches confirmed

Valve have unveiled the opening fixtures for The International 2025, with the group stage set to ignite on Thursday, September 4, in Hamburg, Germany. 16 of the world’s best Dota 2 teams will begin their pursuit of the Aegis of Champions, and the first round already delivers a slate of intriguing clashes.

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TI 2025: Round 1 fixtures

10am CEST

• Aurora Gaming (-188.68 with BetOnline) vs Xtreme Gaming (+137 with SportsBetting)
• Team Spirit (-2500 with BetOnline) vs Wildcard (+800 with BetOnline)
• Team Falcons (-1250 with BetOnline) vs Team Nemesis (+600 with SportsBetting)
• Tundra Esports (-500 with BetOnline) vs Yakutou Brothers (+333 with BetOnline)

1pm CEST

• PARIVISION (-500 with BetOnline) vs HEROIC (+333 with SportsBetting)
• Team Liquid (-1666.67 with BetOnline) vs BOOM Esports (+700 with BetOnline) Esports
• BetBoom Team (-250 with BetOnline) vs Nigma (+175 with SportsBetting) Galaxy
• Team Tidebound (-277.78 with BetOnline) vs Natus Vincere (+200 with BetOnline)

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Key storylines to watch

Team Liquid begins title defense

Defending champions Team Liquid start their campaign against BOOM Esports, the Southeast Asian qualifier winners. Liquid will look to make a statement early, while BOOM carries the underdog spirit after battling through the qualifiers.

Spirit vs Wildcard

Fresh off winning the Esports World Cup, two-time TI champions Team Spirit open against Wildcard. The North American squad arrives after a podium finish at the European Pro League, but Spirit’s form and experience have them marked as the esports betting sites’ pre-tournament favorite.

Tundra vs Yakutou Brothers

Tundra Esports, last year’s third-place finisher, face added scrutiny after making a roster change just days before the event. Their first hurdle is Yakutou Brothers, a Chinese team handed a late invite after Gaimin Gladiators withdrew in August. This will be the Brothers’ chance to prove they belong.

Tidebound vs NAVI – East meets West

China’s rising powerhouse, Team Tidebound, winners of the Clavision Masters 2025, meet Natus Vincere in a highly anticipated clash. NAVI’s story is remarkable—once a junior squad, they earned promotion to the main roster and have since fought their way to TI. Facing Tidebound will test whether their rapid rise is sustainable against elite opposition.

BetBoom vs. Nigma Galaxy – Old guard under pressure

On paper, BetBoom Team carries the edge, having lifted trophies at FISSURE Universe Episode 4 and PGL Wallachia Season 5 earlier this year. But Nigma Galaxy, despite a difficult season, still boast a passionate following. Their first-round match will serve as a litmus test for whether Nigma can reignite their past glory.

The International 2025 format

The International 2025 uses a Swiss system for the group stage, where each team’s win–loss record determines their next opponent.

• The top three teams qualify directly for the playoffs.
• Teams finishing fourth–13th enter an elimination round, where only five will survive to join the playoffs.
• The playoffs feature a double-elimination bracket, ensuring that consistency and resilience will decide this year’s champion.