The International remains a major milestone in the world of Dota 2—even more than a decade after its debut at GamesCom in Cologne. This year, the tournament will feature a new format, where every match holds significant value for both teams and spectators.

The New Path to the Aegis

In 2025, The International will be divided into two stages: "The Road to The International" and the main event, which will take place at Barclays Arena. Valve has introduced an updated qualification system—now 16 teams will start with a five-round Swiss system, beginning on September 4.

In the first stage, teams will face opponents with the same record: after five rounds, three teams with four wins will advance, while three teams with four losses will be eliminated from the tournament. The remaining 10 participants will compete for the last five spots in the final qualifying round.

Thus, only the top 8 teams will move on to the main stage of the tournament, which will begin on September 11.

Main Stage and Ticket Program

The International stage will run from September 11 to 14, with all matches taking place on the Barclays Arena stage. The format is a classic double-elimination bracket, with elimination after two losses. Eight teams will start in the upper bracket, and their seeding will be determined by the results of the qualifying stage. The grand final, as usual, will be held in a best-of-5 format.

Tickets will go on sale on April 15 at 09:00 CET on the AXS website. Valve promises both single-day and multi-day tickets.

Each year, The International becomes not only an arena for the world's best teams but also a test for the event format. In 2025, Valve emphasizes transparency, the importance of each match, and spectator comfort. The Swiss system will add intrigue to each day, while the final games at Barclays Arena will be a grand conclusion to the season.