TI2025: Is Europe’s Reign Over?

Look Sports Media – The International 2025 playoffs, kicking off September 11th in Hamburg’s Barclaycard Arena, have already delivered seismic shocks. The group stage saw Xtreme Gaming, Tidebound, and BetBoom emerge as unexpected top contenders, setting the stage for a tournament unlike any other. The Road to TI Playoffs Elimination Round further shattered expectations, with Tundra (despite missing Whitemon due to visa issues) stunning defending champions Liquid 2-1, and Team Spirit falling to Falcons in a 2-0 upset.

This year’s tournament might be the biggest challenge to the near-decade-long dominance of European and CIS teams in Dota 2’s premier event. Since Wings Gaming’s victory in 2016, Western teams have reigned supreme. However, Xtreme Gaming’s flawless Swiss Stage run, defeating heavyweights like Aurora, Spirit, Falcons, and Tidebound, throws this narrative into serious question.

Tidebound, advancing with a 4-1 record, boasts two players from the legendary Wings Gaming roster: y` and Faith_bian. Meanwhile, the reigning TI champions, Tundra, are significantly altered from their 2022 victory, with only 33 and Saksa remaining. The absence of Gaimin Gladiators, the 2023 and 2024 runners-up, further contributes to the unpredictable nature of this year’s competition.

The Upper Quarterfinals matchups are set: Xtreme Gaming vs Tundra Esports, Parivision vs Heroic, Team Tidebound vs Falcons, and BetBoom vs Nigma Galaxy. With such a wide-open field, predicting a winner feels almost impossible. The prize pool currently sits at $2,559,276, but with Dota 2’s crowdfunding model, this number is set to grow significantly before the Grand Final on September 14th, where the champion will take home at least $1,087,666. The double-elimination format, with Bo3 matches until the Bo5 Grand Final, promises thrilling action. This year’s International is shaping up to be the most unpredictable in a decade – and that’s incredibly exciting.

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specializing in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.