Dota 2’s Premiere Esports Event Returns to German Soil in 2025
Valve has officially confirmed the details for The International 2025, marking a significant moment for the Dota 2 competitive scene. The tournament will make a triumphant return to Germany, bringing the world’s top esports competition back to where it all began.
Scheduled from September 1 to 14, the event will transform Hamburg’s Barclays Arena into the ultimate battleground for 16 of the world’s most elite Dota 2 teams. The lineup will feature a mix of directly invited teams and those who successfully navigate through regional qualifier tournaments, which are anticipated to occur in the mid-summer period.
This announcement carries historical significance, as Germany originally hosted the inaugural International tournament in 2011, launching what would become the most prestigious event in Dota 2 competitive play. While the tournament has traveled to various European locations like Bucharest and Copenhagen in recent years, its return to Germany represents a nostalgic homecoming.
Hamburg might not be as renowned for esports events as some other German cities, but it presents an exciting venue for the championship. Last major Dota 2 tournament in the city was ESL One Hamburg back in 2017, making this year’s event particularly noteworthy.
The esports landscape for 2025
The esports landscape for 2025 is shaping up to be exceptionally vibrant. Beyond The International, eleven additional international LAN tournaments with million-dollar prize pools have already been confirmed. Strategically scheduled to avoid conflicting with World Championship preparations, these events promise an thrilling year for competitive gaming enthusiasts.
The community remains curious about potential upcoming tournaments. With speculation mounting about the Riyadh Masters 2025 and its potential inclusion in the Esports World Cup series.
Historically, The International 2021 stands as the most-watched tournament in the series. Achieving an unprecedented peak of 2,741,514 concurrent viewers during the COVID-19 pandemic—a record that remains unbroken. With no subsequent tournament reaching the 2,000,000 viewer milestone.
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