Dota 2's The International 2025 Kicks Off This Weekend In Germany

Eight teams battle for the Aegis, starting September 11.

By Matthew D'Onofrio, News Editor Posted: September 9, 2025

Dota 2 The International

The International 2025 is set to kick off on September 11 at the Barclays Arena in Hamburg, Germany, bringing together the world’s best Dota 2 teams in the biggest tournament of the year. After four days of playoff battles, eight teams — Xtreme Gaming, BB Team, Team Tidebound, Heroic, Pvision, Nigma Galaxy, Tundra Esports, and Team Falcons — secured their places to fight for the Aegis in a double-elimination bracket. There will be an opening ceremony at 10 AM (CEST), following a pre-show starting at 9:30 AM.

For attendees, the event offers meet-and-greet sessions with teams and talent. Crimson Witness pins and daily badge binding opportunities are available as well to fans of the free-to-play MOBA, with the chance to claim exclusive treasure drops. The venue will open its doors at 8 AM (CEST) each day. Seating is general admission, though some areas are reserved for press and players. Fans will also find the Secret Shop at Barclays Arena, featuring exclusive The International 2025 items, alongside a Side Shop at MOUZ Esports HQ in Hamburg from September 9 – 12 for fans without tickets.

The International will be streamed across multiple platforms and languages, including Twitch, YouTube, Steam, Facebook, Bilibili, Huya, and Douyu. The Secret Shop also has online storefronts through We Are Nations and Perfect World, offering different selections based on region.

Additionally, fans can enjoy new seasonal chat wheel voice lines in-game. And there are predictions and fantasy picks that keep the community engaged.

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In this article: DOTA 2, Valve.

About the Author

Matthew D'Onofrio, News Editor

Matthew “dinofries” D'Onofrio is a writer, content creator, podcaster and — most importantly — a gamer. With such a strong passion for video games and a severe case of FOMO, it's no surprise he always has his finger on the pulse of the gaming world. On the rare occasion Matt's away from a screen, you'll find him strumming away on his acoustic guitar or taking care of his cat Totoro.