Valve has announced significant changes to the format for The International 2025, Dota 2's premier event, which will debut a new structure at the Barclays Arena in Hamburg, Germany. The tournament will replace the traditional Group Stage with a five-round Swiss Stage, aiming to ensure that every match holds importance throughout the event.
The Swiss Stage will feature 16 teams competing in best-of-three matches over the first three days, facing teams with the same record. After these initial rounds, the top three teams with four wins will secure a spot in the playoffs, while those with four losses will be eliminated.
The remaining 10 teams will enter an elimination round, where the winners will advance to the playoffs, and the others will be cut from the tournament.
The playoffs, running from September 11-14, 2025, will include only eight teams, a reduction from previous years. These teams will compete in a double-elimination bracket, with all matches being best-of-three, except for the grand final, which will be a best-of-five.
Valve emphasized that this new structure seeks to enhance the experience for fans and players, as the event continues to evolve after more than a decade of hosting.
ADD A COMMENT :