Dota 2: Valve unveil new format for The International 2025

    The International 2025, Dota 2's most prestigious tournament, will take place at Barclays Arena from September 11-14, with Valve introducing a significant format change.

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    This year, the traditional group stage has been scrapped in favour of a five-round Swiss Stage, designed to ensure "every single match had stakes."

    The new format will see 16 teams competing over three days, with best-of-three matches against opponents with the same record. Four wins guarantee a place in the playoffs, while four losses result in elimination.

    "Swiss formats come with unique challenges, and we've taken special care to make sure fans can know in advance when their favourite teams are playing, and that no team with a winning record ever has to play two series in a row," said Valve via a blog post.

    Once the Swiss Stage concludes, the remaining 10 teams will enter a final elimination round. The highest-performing teams will face the weakest, with five advancing and five being eliminated.

    This adjustment means only eight teams will reach the playoff stage, fewer than in previous years.

    The playoffs will follow a double-elimination format, with the strongest teams initially facing the weakest.

    All matches will be best-of-three, except for the grand finals, which will be a best-of-five showdown.