View source for News/The International 2025 Format Changed by Valve

{{News
|seo_title=The International 2025 Format Changed by Valve
|seo_keywords=Valve
|image=Valve.PNG
|tags=Dota 2
|date=2025-04-02T12:40:13.000Z
|sources={{NewsSource
|source=Steam
|url=https://www.dota2.com/newsentry/536597286667419796
|article=News/The International 2025 Format Changed by Valve
}}
|author=Andura
|category=More
|game=Dota 2
|content=[[Companies/Valve|Valve]] has revealed the format for Dota 2’s The International (TI) 2025, which will take place in Hamburg, Germany, from September 4 to 14.

===== Group Stage and Special Elimination Round =====

The Group Stage will run from September 4 to 7, using a Swiss format with 16 teams competing in five rounds of best-of-three matches. Teams will only face opponents with the same record. A team needs four wins to advance, while four losses will result in elimination. The top three teams from the Group Stage will proceed to the Playoffs, while three others will be eliminated.

The remaining 10 teams will enter the Special Elimination Round. Higher-seeded teams will face lower-seeded teams, with the winners advancing to the Playoffs and the losers eliminated.

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===== Playoffs =====

The Playoffs, running from September 11 to 14, will feature all eight qualifying teams starting in the upper bracket. The tournament will follow a double-elimination format, with best-of-three matches, except for the Grand Finals, which will be a best-of-five series.

===== Reason for the Change =====

Valve’s changes aim to ensure every match has significance. The new format addresses past issues where some games were meaningless. The company also made adjustments to avoid situations where teams with winning records had to play back-to-back matches.

TI 2025 will offer a fresh and competitive experience for both teams and fans, with all matches having clear stakes.
}}