The Dota 2 community was shaken on August 22, 2025, when Valve confirmed that Gaimin Gladiators — one of the most recognizable organizations in the scene — officially withdrew from The International 2025. The decision, announced just weeks before the tournament, came after failed negotiations between the organization and its players.
Valve confirmed the decision on August 22: the organization filed a withdrawal notice, and after discussions with the invited players, it became clear no agreement could be reached. Valve is now looking for a replacement team for the tournament.
This marks only the second time in TI history that a qualified team has withdrawn just weeks before the event. The last instance came at TI2 in 2012, when MUFC pulled out. Back then, Valve organized a playoff between mousesports and World Elite to find a replacement.
We won’t be competing at TI this year. Internal disagreements with the roster made it impossible. I can’t disclose details for legal reasons, but I’ll share more as soon as I can
Nick Kuchkovillo, co-founder and president of Gaimin Gladiators
For an organization that only last year was praised for stability and results, the withdrawal feels like a dramatic turning point. The Dota 2 scene has already been grappling with uncertainty: Valve’s evolving tournament structure, questions around sustainability, and the financial pressures of maintaining rosters.
