The International 2025 (TI14) is around the corner, specifically it starts as early as June 4 for certain regions. It’s one of the most anticipated qualifiers as slots to play at TI14 are at stake.
The International 2025 Regional Qualifiers (Image credit: Wykrhm Reddy)
TI14 Regional Qualifiers Format and Team Placements
The TI14 regional qualifiers feature a double-elimination bracket with best-of-three matches. Several teams, particular the open-qualifier runner-up winners receive placements one round before the quarterfinal. Essentially, they will have to play an extra round, which the first-place winners don’t. Nevertheless, it’s still a double-elimination bracket, so there’s always a lifeline for a second chance in lower bracket.
For regional qualifiers that only have one qualifying slot, such as Eastern Europe, China, North and South America, the two finalists of their respective qualifier will play a best-of-five finals to determine who gets to play at TI14. Whereas for the regional qualifiers who have two qualifying slots, there will be two finals, the upper and lower bracket finals. The four finalists will compete in a best-of-three finals, where the winners of each finals will qualify for TI14.
TI14 Open Qualifiers
If you are interested in catching the open qualifiers, these begin as early as June 2. Up to sixteen participating teams will play in a single-elimination bracket. Each open qualifier will have 2-3 qualifying slots to play in their respective regional qualifier.
Dota 2 TI14 Regional Qualifiers Direct Invites (Image credit: Wykrhm Reddy)
Dota 2 teams participating at TI14 Regional Qualifiers
While the rest of the regional qualifier participants are to be decided over the upcoming days, we already have a list of direct invites at the TI14 regional qualifiers. These include teams that have been consistently participated throughout the season but still have not qualify for TI14.
Western Europe TI14 Regional Qualifier Teams
Over at the hottest Dota 2 region, WEU TI14 regional qualifiers have OG, MOUZ, Nigma Galaxy and AVULUS. Amongst these teams, AVULUS is surely the most accomplished this season, where they were staples at PGL Wallachia and ESL One tournaments.
OG and Nigma Galaxy have its own reputation as a long-time powerhouse namesake, but struggle to find consistency in their performance. However, MOUZ might just emerge as a potential candidate to win the WEU TI14 qualifiers themselves. Earlier in May 2025, they have secretly brought together Abed “Abed” Yusop and Melchior “Seleri” Hillenkamp as pillars for this new Esports name.
Eastern Europe TI14 Regional Qualifier Teams
The EEU TI14 regional qualifier comes off as the toughest region between its counterparts. With a TI-winning roster at Aurora Gaming, fans are rooting for them to sweep this regional qualifier with ease.
Natus Vincere, L1GA and One Move‘s line-up has several promising players, but it’s a far cry from what Aurora Gaming’s seasoned team has to offer.
China TI14 Regional Qualifier Teams
China’s crippling Dota 2 Esports scene becomes blatantly clear when there are only two direct invites in their TI14 regional qualifier. Yakult Brothers and Xtreme Gaming have promising Dota 2 players, which might be the only ones worth mentioning as potential candidates to win this qualifier. However, we would keep an eye out for Vici Gaming’s return to pro Dota 2, as they attempt the open qualifiers.
Southeast Asia TI14 Regional Qualifier Teams
If there’s ever a region that did not deserve two slots to play in TI14, it’s the SEA. Despite having six direct invites in the SEA TI14 regional qualifier, none of these teams have accomplished any major feat throughout the season.
However, if we were to mention two candidates, it’s Talon Esports and BOOM Esports. Talon Esports brought back the Thai prodigy, Nuengnara “23savage” Teeramahanon, so it would be interesting to see if they can make it work. Whereas BOOM Esports also has its fair share of prodigies, particularly Filipino talents, such as Armel “Armel” Tabios and Timothy John “TIMS” Randrup, to name a few.
Trailer Park Boys, The MongolZ, Ivory and Execration make up the rest of the direct invites at SEA TI14 regional qualifiers.
North America TI14 Regional Qualifier Teams
Much like China, the NA TI14 regional qualifier remains stagnated as it has always been. This time around, even Nouns Esports no longer participate in this region’s crippling pro scene. Anyhow, NA fans can still count on Shopify Rebellion and Wildcard as decent candidates to qualify and compete at TI14.
South America TI14 Regional Qualifier Teams
Last but not least, the SA TI14 regional qualifier shockingly has decent teams themselves. While it’s easy to disregard the SA region’s prowess, this region has brought many historical teams throughout the International Championships with unexpected underdogs.
If there’s one team we had like to make that happen at TI14 again, it’s HEROIC. This SA representative is the region’s best bet at making a name for themselves at TI14. Moreover, they aren’t too shabby themselves since they won PGL Wallachia S2. Although they have experienced quite a turmoil since they kicked David “Parker” Nicho Flores, HEROIC is still a frequent SA team in many major tournaments in 2025.
Another team to look out for is OG’s SA team, OG.LATAM, which they envisioned to beat HEROIC, Edge, Team Den and other potential SA squads.
The International 2025 Regional Qualifier is where hopes become a reality and dreams are shattered for others. Catch the action live over at PGL’s official Twitch channel.