Gaimin Gladiators has withdrawn from The International 2025 after failing to reach an agreement with its Dota 2 roster, and Valve is now looking for a replacement team. This matters because the organisation had already qualified for the event, forcing late changes to the tournament field and logistics.
Valve confirmed the withdrawal in a statement released on August 22 via X, saying the invited players could not participate due to contractual disputes with their team, and that it is working to find a suitable replacement team for the event.
An update regarding The International. pic.twitter.com/MFieQxgqi8
— The International (@dota2ti) August 22, 2025
Nick Cuccovillo, co-founder and President of Gaimin Gladiators, released a statement on Reddit shortly after Valve’s announcement, confirming legal proceedings are underway and giving limited detail on the organisation’s side of the matter. The post is available on Reddit.
Only one other qualified team has missed The International on short notice: MUFC, which missed TI2 in 2012 because of last-minute visa issues, prompting Valve to stage a best-of-five playoff between mousesports and World Elite to select the replacement team.
Gaimin Gladiators had posted a countdown to The International on social media earlier the same day they announced the withdrawal. It’s abrupt.
The timing has drawn attention across the Dota 2 community, and Valve has not said how it will choose a replacement team; will it use league point standings or extend another invite? How will Valve choose the replacement team?
Gaimin Gladiators built the current roster in 2022. They became the first organisation since OG in 2016–2017 to win three consecutive Majors after victories at the Lima Major, Berlin Major, and Bali Major in 2023. The team also won the Riyadh Masters 2024 and finished second at The International in both 2023 and 2024, earning millions in prize money across multiple premier events.
With legal proceedings ongoing and Valve searching for a replacement, the future of the roster is uncertai,n and the situation stays fluid. The roster is kinda in limbo.
Please share your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll keep watching updates as they come in.
