Dota 2 The International 2025: Valve confirm direct invites

Valve have officially revealed the eight directly invited teams and the regional qualifier schedule for The International 2025—Dota 2’s pinnacle esports event—set to take place in Germany later this year. As with previous editions, 16 teams will compete for the Aegis of Champions, with eight squads receiving direct invites and the remaining eight fighting their way through qualifiers.

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Eight direct invites confirmed for TI 2025

The directly invited teams reflect the ongoing dominance of Europe in the Dota esports scene, with seven of the eight invites going to squads from the broader European region.

Western Europe

• Team Liquid
• Tundra Esports
• Gaimin Gladiators

Eastern Europe

• Team Spirit
• BetBoom Team
• PARIVISION

China

• Team Tidebound (All Gamers Global)

Middle East & South West Asia

• Team Falcons

Surprisingly, no teams from South-east Asia or the Americas received direct invites, underlining a shift in competitive strength and Valve’s evolving regional assessment.

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Regional Qualifiers: The Road to Germany

The final eight TI 2025 spots will be decided through regional qualifiers in June, split into three phases. Each region has a set number of slots:

• Western Europe & South-east Asia: Two slots each
• Eastern Europe, China, North America, South America: One slot each

Eastern Europe & South America (June 4–8)

Eastern Europe (1 Slot)

• Aurora Gaming
• Natus Vincere
• NAVI Junior
• One Move
• L1GA TEAM
• Virtus.pro
• Four teams from Open Qualifiers

South America (1 Slot)

• HEROIC
• OG.LATAM
• Edge
• Team Den
• Six teams from Open Qualifiers

China & North America (June 9–12)

China (1 Slot)

• Xtreme Gaming
• Yakult Brothers
• Six teams from Open Qualifiers

North America (1 Slot)

• Shopify Rebellion
• Wildcard
• Six teams from Open Qualifiers

Western Europe & South-east Asia (June 13–17)

Western Europe (2 Slots)

• Nigma Galaxy
• MOUZ
• OG
• AVULUS
• Six teams from Open Qualifiers

South-east Asia (2 Slots)

• TALON
• BOOM Esports
• Trailer Park Boys
• The MongolZ
• Ivory
• Execration
• Four teams from Open Qualifiers

What’s Next?

Before the closed qualifiers, the open qualifiers will run from May 31 to June 5, giving lesser-known squads a shot at TI glory. With multiple open slots feeding into each closed regional qualifier, it’s the ultimate test for aspiring teams looking to make their mark on the biggest stage in Dota 2.

With the direct invites locked and the qualifier gauntlet ahead, all eyes turn to June’s “Road to The International.” Teams from across the globe will battle for the remaining eight places in what promises to be one of the most competitive TI builds in recent memory.