The International 2025 has started - find out the main details of the most prestigious cybersport tournament of the year
The most prestigious cybersport tournament of the year - The International for Dota 2 - has started in Hamburg. This event is held for the fourteenth year in a row (except for covid 2020) and although there is almost nothing left of the former prize fund and hype, the status of the event still remains.
Here's What We Know
The International will be held in two stages:
- 4-7 September - Road to The International (Swiss system, bo3): teams with 4 wins go to the main stage, with 4 losses are eliminated. At the end of the group stage pairs with the score 3:2 and 2:3 play additional elimination matches;
- from 11 to 14 September the play-offs will take place at the Barclays Arena in the presence of a large number of spectators. All matches are played to two wins and the Grand Final is in bo5 format.
There are sixteen teams participating in The International 14:
- Aurora Gaming
- Xtreme Gaming
- Team Spirit
- Wildcard Gaming
- Team Falcons
- Team Nemesis
- Tundra Esports
- Yakutou Brothers
- PARIVISION
- Heroic
- Team Liquid
- BOOM Esports
- BetBoom Team
- Nigma Galaxy
- Team Tidebound
- Natus Vincere.
The International 2025 prize pool is currently at an all-time low of $2,373,025, but by the finals it may grow due to the sale of in-game items, of which 50% goes to the tournament.
And now about the main thing: who will win?
Most analysts consider Team Spirit, a team of Russian origin, who are the winners of The International 2021 and 2023, to be the favourites. Among the teams that can compete with them, many highlight Tundra Esports, Team Liquid and Team Falcons.
Broadcasts are available on almost all platforms, including Youtube and Twitch, and in many languages around the world. The event is covered by both professional studios and streamers.
