TI 2025: veterans and youth play the game

Some of the best Dota 2 teams in the world, both veterans and young rookies, will battle it out at The International 2025.

Over the years, we've seen some of the best Dota 2 matches at The International. While the event hasn't always been dominated by one team, there have been moments for new faces and those who have made the hallowed ground of TI their second home. This year was no exception, with several young players ready to write their names into Dota 2 history and a few veterans hoping to reclaim their glory.

Below we take a look at some of the young players who will be taking part in TI 2025, as well as those at the other end of the list.

The youngest players of TI 2025

As the countdown to the 14th edition of The International begins, there are plenty of new faces hitting the scene this year. The average age of the youngest team is just over 20 years old, and there are several young players on this list.

Artem**"Niku**" Bachkur

• 16 years old
• Biggest achievement: the youngest player to reach 12,000, 13,000, 14,000 and 15,000 MMR.

As the second youngest player to participate in TI, Niku arrived in Hamburg, Germany ready to make his mark on the world of Dota 2. Natus Vincere is the youngest team at the event, with Niku joining at the age of 16. Only Sumail**"SumaiL** Hassan surpasses him as the youngest player to take part in the prestigious tournament. The player has only one way to go - up, as the prodigy wants to take NaVi back to the top of TI.

Read also: NAVI TI 2025 Team Profile: Rite of Passage

Alan**"Satanik**" Galliamov

• Age: 17 years old
• Biggest achievement: Reached 17,000 MMR in May 2025.

Satanik's professional career in Dota 2 is progressing by leaps and bounds. After joining PARIVISION, he only made it to his first tier 1 tournament, but Satanic's personal achievements go beyond the team. As one of the few players whose MMR has exceeded 17,000, he is a prodigy on his team. With fantastic results in 2025, the team is one of the top contenders for the TI title.

Read also: PARIVISION TI 2025 team profile: a team with a vision for the future

Francis**"RCY**" Fundemer

• Age: 19 years old
• Biggest achievement: Reached 15,000 MMR in March 2025.

Although the North American Dota 2 scene has been quite challenging, Wildcard is still strong in this region. RCY may not have the wins that other 19-year-olds have, but he has a fantastic playstyle and thirst for victory.

Read also: Wildcard TI 2025 team profile: 'Let's do it'.

The most veteran players at TI 2025

When it comes to Dota 2 veterans, there have been quite a few over the years. From Clement**"Puppey**" Ivanov and** KuroKy** Salehi to players like Artur**"Arteezy**" Babaev and Johan**"N0tail**" Sundstein, we've seen the best of the best come through the ranks of brilliant TI players. TI 2025 will feature many players who are considered "veterans" of the game, including.

Aydin "Insania" Sarkohi

• Age: 31 years old
• Biggest achievement: winning TI 2025 as a member of Team Liquid.

2024 was an important year for Liquid and Insania. Not only did he become TI champion, but he also helped his team rise to the top. Having backed Liquid to fifth place, Insania has a vast knowledge of Dota 2 that sets him apart from many others. He now returns to the tournament hoping to win again.

Read also: All International Champions, from TI1 to TI13

Danil**"Bignum**" Shekhovtsov

• Age: 30 years old
• Biggest achievement: a long career in Dota 2, including a stint with the once famous Moscow Five.

He may not be the most famous player on the professional Dota 2 scene, but Bignum has been there from the beginning. While he failed to make a name for himself among the top players in the early years, he hung in there until he reached the level he is at now. Interestingly, Bignum has never played IT in his long career, but now he has a chance to shine in Wildcard.

Read also: The International 2025: the rookies who want to put their name in the history books

Chan**"Oli**" Jeong Kien

• Age: 30 years old
• Biggest achievement: equaled Puppi in average assists per game in TI 20221.

Until a week ago, Oli would have never made this list, but after Gaimin Gladiators withdrew from TI 2025, a new team, Yakutou Brothers, was chosen to take his place. Having been a part of Invictus Gaming for some time, Oli's support skills have been recognized over the years. Hoping to finally make his way to the top in Hamburg, Germany, he is now battling alongside a Chinese team looking to return his region to the top echelon of Dota 2.

Read also: Valve has confirmed a team change for The International 2025

There are many players who are looking to write their name in the Dota 2 history book at the upcoming TI 2025. Unfortunately, only one team will be able to lift the Aegis of Champions and become the champions of the 14th iteration of The International.