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Let’s be real — every TI has that story. The one that grabs everyone by the heart. This year, all eyes are on Nigma Galaxy to deliver that magic. After years away from the big stage, they’re back — battle-hardened, doubted, but never counted out. With legends like KuroKy, GH and SumaiL in the mix, this could be their redemption arc. One last deep run. One last dance.

Can they go the distance? Can experience and legacy outshine the raw power of newer squads?

The TI 2025 qualifiers just wrapped up, and wow — what a ride. We had favorites holding strong, surprise underdogs stealing the spotlight, and some real heartbreaks along the way. But now it's official: the 16 teams that’ll be battling it out in Hamburg for the Aegis of Champions are locked in. So, who’s your pick?

Here’s the breakdown:

Direct Invites (aka the big dogs)

Team Liquid
PARIVISION
BetBoom Team
All Gamers Global (yep, formerly Team Tidebound)
Gaimin Gladiators
Team Spirit
Team Falcons
Tundra Esports

These teams didn’t even need to qualify — Valve invited them straight in based on their season performance. No pressure, right?

Qualified Teams (the ones who fought tooth and nail)

NAVI Junior – Western Europe
Nigma Galaxy – Western Europe
Aurora Gaming – Eastern Europe
Xtreme Gaming – China
Team Nemesis – Southeast Asia
BOOM Esports – Southeast Asia
Wildcard – North America
HEROIC – South America

Let’s talk upsets. Let’s talk drama.

One of the biggest storylines? Nigma Galaxy is back! After five long years, KuroKy and the boys are finally returning to TI — and under the Nigma banner for the first time ever. Major nostalgia vibes for old-school fans.

Then there’s NAVI Junior — the youngest team at the tournament. They crushed it in the WEU qualifier and are led by veteran Zayac. Are we looking at a new Team Spirit 2.0 situation here?

Talon Esports, despite looking super strong after DreamLeague, missed out. Two slots for SEA and Talon couldn’t grab either — instead, Team Nemesis and BOOM snatched them both. Huge W for underdogs, tough break for Talon.

In NA, Shopify Rebellion seemed like a sure thing — until Wildcard flipped the script. Just days after getting 0–3’d by SR in the Esports World Cup qualifiers, they turned around and eliminated them. Four players on Wildcard will be making their TI debut in Hamburg. Talk about redemption.

China? Business as usual. Xtreme Gaming just steamrolled through Azure Ray, Vici, and Yakult Brothers. No surprises, just dominance.

TI 2025 – What to Expect

TI is heading to Hamburg, Germany, this September — the first time the tournament returns to Germany since TI1 back in 2011. Big vibes.

Group Stage + Special Elimination Round: 4–7 September
Playoffs: 11–14 September
Grand Finals: Best-of-five for the Aegis. You know the drill.

This year introduces a Swiss format group stage — best-of-threes where you need 4 wins to move on. Lose 4? You’re out. After that, the remaining teams duke it out in a Special Elimination Round for those last precious Playoff spots.

Unlike past TIs, everyone in the Playoffs starts in the upper bracket. No more starting from the bottom — at least, not right away. Before TI...

If you’re already hyped, mark your calendar — there’s still elite Dota 2 coming up: