TI 14 is just around the corner, but we have sad news – Gaimin Gladiators won’t attend the tournament. Even though it was one of the main favorites, the team will not participate in The International 2025.
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Gaimin Gladiators Will Miss The International 2025
Unfortunately, Gaimin Gladiators will not be able to take part in The International 2025. One of the best Western European teams won’t be able to compete for the Aegis. The squad told Valve last Sunday, and it seems like the reason is related to the players’ inability to come to an agreement with their organization.
This news is shocking, to say the least, because many people thought that Gaimin Gladiators would be one of the favorites. Sadly, we won’t be able to see them in action.
What makes the situation worse is that the organization even “teased” its TI participation just hours before the announcement. Having said that, people who were paying attention to The International 2025 bundles may have noticed that the team did not have anything.
Shortly after it became clear that GG wouldn’t play at TI 14, Nick Cuccovillo, the organization’s co-founder, said that there were “internal matters between the players and the organization“. He said that it was “impossible to move forward with a roster” and added that he can’t go into too much detail as of now.
How Does This Change the Favorites for The International 2025
Now that Gaimin Gladiators won’t be part of the event, many teams seem to be in a much better position to win. Team Liquid, PARIVISION, and Team Spirit will have an easier time knowing they won’t have to go up against the WEU powerhouse. Even though Gaimin Gladiators are not on the same level as two years ago, they were one of the favorites after all.
Which Team Will Replace Gaimin Gladiators?
Valve has not announced which team will replace GG yet, so we expect to learn more about it soon. Several candidates, one of whom is OG, have already indicated their desire to take GG’s slot. The team ended 3rd in the WEU qualifiers, meaning it is a top contender for the vacant spot.
Although Talon Esports is not from Western Europe, it is another possible name we can see at The International 2025. After all, it is one of the most popular Dota 2 organizations.
Lastly, we have Team Yandex. The EEU squad could be the one to take Gaimin Gladiator’s spot, but since Solo left in mid-August, it may not be that lucky.
Valve is in the process of finding a replacement, but it has not revealed how it will choose it. The company could use the results from the qualifiers, consider teams with strong 2025 performances, or organize replacement playoffs. In fact, this is what happened in 2012, when Valve organized a Bo5 playoffs between World Elite and mousesports.
What’s Next for Gaimin Gladiators After TI Withdrawal?
The future for Gaimin Gladiator’s current Dota 2 team is uncertain. Aside from missing out on The International 2025, the team also failed to impress at FISSURE Playground: Episode 6 and got eliminated in the Group Stage. Considering the poor results and missing TI, we would not be surprised if the current roster ceases to exist.
