For the next two weeks, Wildcard’s Dota 2 team is competing from Hamburg, Germany at The International 2025 – the world championship of Dota 2. Each year, 16 of the best teams in the world compete for the championship and a share of a mult-million dollar prize pool.

While The International has been running since 2011, this one carries a little more significance. Wildcard has been fighting for a spot in The International since the team’s formation in 2021. Each year they’ve fallen short in the North American qualifiers. The closest the team ever made it to qualifying was in 2022 where they finished 3rd in the closed qualifiers after losing 2-0 to Soniqs Esports. This year, that changed.

Back in June, Wildcard competed in the North American closed qualifiers, once more vying for a ticket to The International. This time, Wildcard sailed through the playoffs, eventually reaching the grand finals without dropping a single round. Up against long-time rivals Shopify Rebellion, Wildcard fought a hard earned 3-2 victory and for the first time a berth to The International.

Wildcard will have its work cut out for them. In a 16-team bracket, filled with the best teams across the world, Wildcard will fight through a Swiss-stage group stage. If the team finishes top-3 in the bracket, they advance directly to the playoffs. Teams finishing 4th-13th proceed to an elimination round where they must place top 5 or be eliminated.

The path won’t be easy, with Wildcard facing Team Spirit, winner of TI 2023, in their first match of the Group Stage tomorrow. Stay tuned to Wildcard’s socials all tournament long to stay up-to-date on the team.