Team Liquid to begin TI defense against BOOM Esports

Team Liquid will begin its title defense at The International 2025 against BOOM Esports, with Valve announcing the opening matches on Tuesday.

The 16-team field will compete in a Swiss system in the group stage, with their record determining the matchups in the next round.

Among other opening matches, two-time champions Team Spirit will begin their quest for a third TI title against Wildcard and Tundra Esports will take on Yakutou Brothers. Tundra finished third last year, while Yakutou Brothers were a late addition following the withdrawal of Gaimin Gladiators.

Team Falcons, coming off a title at the Esports World Cup, will face Team Nemesis. NAVI, which won The International back in 2011, will open against Team Tidebound.

The top three teams from the group stage will advance directly to the playoffs. Those who finish between fourth and 13th competing in the elimination round to determine the remaining five teams that will advance to the double-elimination bracket playoffs.

The event begins Thursday in Hamburg, Germany. The group stage runs through Sunday, with the playoffs running Sept. 11-14.

The initial prize pool for TI 2025 was revealed at $1,934,476. However, that figure will increase with 30 percent of each Supporter Bundle purchased being added to the total.

--Field LEvel Media