TI Invites Revealed For Hamburg Event
Valve has officially unveiled the eight teams receiving direct invitations and the regional qualifying schedule for The International 2025—Dota 2’s prestigious esports tournament. Set to be hosted in Germany later this year, this event will showcase 16 teams competing for the coveted Aegis of Champions, with half securing invites and the other half battling through qualification rounds.
Eight Direct Invites Confirmed for TI 2025
The selection of directly invited teams highlights the continued supremacy of European squads in the Dota 2 competitive landscape. Seven out of the eight invites have been awarded to teams from Europe:
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
- No teams from Southeast Asia or the Americas have received direct invites, indicating a notable shift in competitive dynamics and Valve’s evolving perspective on regional strength.
Regional Qualifiers: The Road to Germany
The final eight slots for TI 2025 will be determined through regional qualifiers scheduled for June, which will unfold in three distinct phases. Each region is allocated a specific number of slots:
- Western Europe & Southeast 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 & Southeast Asia (June 13–17)
Western Europe (2 Slots)
- Nigma Galaxy
- MOUZ
- OG
- AVULUS
- Six teams from Open Qualifiers
Southeast Asia (2 Slots)
- TALON
- BOOM Esports
- Trailer Park Boys
- The MongolZ
- Ivory
- Execration
- Four teams from Open Qualifiers
What’s Next?
The lead-up to the closed qualifiers will feature open qualifiers from May 31 to June 5, providing emerging teams an opportunity to stake their claim for a spot at TI. The mechanism allows various open slot channels into each closed regional qualifier—the ultimate proving ground for aspiring contenders.
As the direct invites are confirmed and qualifiers loom large, all attention will pivot to June’s “Road to The International.” Teams worldwide will clash for the remaining eight slots, setting the stage for what is anticipated to be one of the most fiercely contested tournaments in The International’s history.
Expect exhilarating matchups and unprecedented drama as the pursuit of the Aegis of Champions begins in earnest.
