As the race for Dota 2 teams to secure points in the EPT Ranking intensifies, with many aiming to qualify for major events and take home substantial prize money, some elite teams can afford to make bold decisions. One such team is Team Spirit, who recently made headlines by rejecting their direct invitation to DreamLeague 26, one of the final events in the EPT season.
Team Spirit Pulls Out of the Last EPT Tournament of the Year
In a statement shared via Twitter, ESL announced that Team Spirit had informed them of their decision to withdraw from DreamLeague 26. The team, which had earned a direct invitation due to being ranked in the Top 4 of the EPT Ranking, opted out of the competition.
However, the official communication did not provide any specific reasons behind this decision, and as of now, Team Spirit has yet to publicly comment on the matter. This unexpected move has left many fans and analysts speculating about the team’s motives.
Source: Twitter
Team Liquid to Replace Team Spirit at DreamLeague 26
In place of Team Spirit, Team Liquid will take their spot at DreamLeague 26. This comes as a significant opportunity for Team Liquid, who, despite previously being in the Top 4 of the EPT ranking, recently found themselves pushed to the 5th position due to a series of disappointing results.
For Team Liquid, this direct invitation to DreamLeague 26 not only grants them a chance to earn more points but also serves as a crucial opportunity to strengthen their position for a direct invite to the Riyadh Masters 2025. Though currently in the Top 8, Team Liquid has not yet secured a direct invitation to the prestigious tournament, making this appearance at DreamLeague 26 even more vital.
Source: Liquipedia
Why Did Team Spirit Reject the Invitation?
As of now, the official reason behind Team Spirit’s rejection of their DreamLeague 26 invitation remains unknown. However, several factors may be contributing to this decision, and we can make educated guesses about their reasoning.
It is possible that Team Spirit is opting for rest and recovery in preparation for the two most significant tournaments of the year: Riyadh Masters 2025 and The International 2025. Both of these events are major milestones in the DOTA 2 competitive calendar, and it’s understandable that Team Spirit may want to focus their efforts on these upcoming challenges rather than spreading themselves too thin with an additional event like DreamLeague 26.