Valve, the developer behind Dota 2, has officially revealed a major format change for The International 2025, the most prestigious event on the Dota 2 calendar. This year’s tournament will feature a Swiss Stage format, replacing the traditional Group Stage setup that has defined previous editions.
Hosted at the Barclays Arena in Hamburg, Germany, the revamped format aims to heighten the stakes of each match and provide a more dynamic experience for teams and spectators alike.
The Road to The International: Swiss Stage Breakdown
According to details shared on the official Dota 2 blog, the Road to The International will adopt a five-round Swiss Stage system across the first three days of competition. During this phase, 16 teams will face off in best-of-three series, matched against others with identical records after each round.
At the end of the Swiss Stage, any team that secures four wins will advance directly to the playoffs. Conversely, teams that suffer four defeats will be knocked out of the tournament.
The remaining 10 teams will enter a critical elimination round. In this stage, higher-ranked teams based on performance will be matched against the lower-ranked, and only five of those will move forward to the playoffs. The rest will be eliminated from the competition.
Valve noted that although Swiss formats come with their own set of challenges, careful planning has been implemented to ensure fans can track their favorite teams easily. It was emphasized that no team with a winning record would be required to play back-to-back series.
The Road to The International is scheduled from September 4th to 7th, 2025, incorporating both the Swiss bracket and the elimination rounds.
The International 2025 Playoffs and Grand Final Details
Following the new structure, only eight of the original 16 teams will proceed to The International’s Playoff Stage—marking a smaller field compared to previous years. The playoffs will unfold from September 11th to 14th, 2025, and will feature a double-elimination bracket.
In this phase, top-performing teams will be paired against those with lower performance metrics. Each playoff series will be played in a best-of-three format, while the grand final will be contested in a best-of-five matchup.
Reflecting on the tournament’s evolution, Valve highlighted that the original International was a five-day event held during GamesCom in Cologne. The company remarked that more than a decade of experience in running The International has led to continuous learning in all aspects—from booth layouts to sponsorship strategies and tournament structure.
Valve stated that with each edition, the goal remains to preserve the best elements of past tournaments while exploring new variations that could enhance the overall experience.