The Evolution of Dota 2’s Competitive Landscape
The competitive Dota 2 scene has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. While The International remains prestigious, the ecosystem now features numerous high-stakes tournaments that have elevated the overall competitive landscape. This shift has created multiple pathways to success and recognition for professional teams.
The previous season witnessed unprecedented competition levels, with success distributed among several top-performing squads. Though one organization demonstrated exceptional consistency throughout the year, other teams managed to secure victories at crucial moments. The viewership metrics revealed an incredibly tight race among the top five teams, separated by minimal margins in audience engagement.
Let’s examine the teams that captured the community’s attention and dominated viewership statistics during the past season.
Fifth Place: Team Liquid
The reigning International 2024 champions surprisingly ranked fifth in overall popularity, highlighting the increasingly competitive nature of Dota 2’s ecosystem. Their Swedish-led roster, which has remained largely intact for six years, finally secured the organization’s second Aegis trophy.
Despite experiencing inconsistent results throughout the season, with multiple runner-up positions at major tournaments and two minor championship victories, Liquid maintained their status as an elite organization. The recent addition of Jonáš “SaberLight” Volek, replacing Neta “33” Shapira, showed promise with a second-place finish at ESL One Bangkok 2024. However, early 2025 has presented challenges, with the team placing 7th-8th at both FISSURE and BLAST events.
Fourth Place: BetBoom Team
BetBoom Team exemplifies the complex nature of “superteams” in esports. While not an outright disappointment, their trophy cabinet remains relatively sparse given their assembled talent. The previous season brought numerous near-misses with second and third-place finishes, though they finally broke through with a BLAST Slam I victory in December.
Their underperformance at the year’s most lucrative events – Riyadh Masters and TI (both 7th-8th place finishes) – left supporters wanting more. Nevertheless, they maintain massive popularity in the CIS region and could potentially top viewership charts with more consistent tournament success.
Third Place: Tundra Esports
Tundra Esports achieved a remarkable feat by securing third place in viewership despite not winning a single tournament. Their consistent top-three placements at major events, including TI, and fourth place at Riyadh Masters demonstrated their competitive resilience.
The organization entered 2025 with significant roster changes, adding Anton “dyrachyo” Shkredov and welcoming back 33. These moves quickly paid dividends with runner-up finishes at BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024 and BLAST Slam I, followed by championships at both FISSURE and BLAST Slam II, positioning them as early favorites for upcoming major tournaments.
Second Place: Team Spirit
The two-time International champions continue to command massive global attention. Their 2024 campaign featured regular top-four finishes and a championship at PGL Wallachia. However, their early exit from TI fell short of their usual standards.
Despite mixed competitive results, Team Spirit’s enduring popularity secured them second place in viewership rankings. Their consistent performance and established legacy suggest potential for even greater success in the coming season.
First Place: Team Falcons
Team Falcons emerged as the dominant force of the season, achieving unprecedented success for a newcomer organization. Their roster, combining veteran talent with rising star Stanislav “Malr1ne” Potorak, secured six major championships while rarely finishing outside the top four.
Their viewership dominance was equally impressive, surpassing their closest competitor by 8 million watch hours – particularly notable considering the mere 6 million hours separating second through fifth place. Early 2025 results suggest maintaining this superiority won’t be easy, with recent tournaments yielding second and third-place finishes.
As the new season unfolds, the emergence of strong challengers like a resurgent Tundra Esports and Gaimin Gladiators promises an exciting year of competitive Dota 2 ahead.
