Gabe Newell makes speech during The International 2025 opening ceremony

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 11/09/2025

Gabe ‘GabeN’ Newell appeared in the opening ceremony of The International 2025, in front of Hamburg’s Barclays Arena and over 100k fans watching on stream.

GabeN, president and co-founder of Valve, has several times noted his love for DotA 2 and is an active player of the game.

The remarks were made prior to TI’s playoffs commencing, with Xtreme Gaming taking on Tundra in the first series of the day.

Gabe Newell’s TI 2025 Opening Speech in full

“Hi, I’m Gabe Newell,” said Gabe Newell.

“Fourteen years ago, we held the first International in Cologne, Germany. For me, that first International was awesome. It was awesome to see the skill of the players and the enthusiasm of the community.”

Newell revealed the effect the event had on his own experience of DotA, “Before the first International, I really enjoyed the game, but after the International, I loved the game.

“It’s not just the game I love, but the community.

While GabeN was lovely dovey, he couldn’t help but reflect the reality of the DotA players’ experience. “Sure, people talk shit at me in chat, and about once a week, people say, ‘Hey noob, uninstall the game and (BEEPED),’ but that’s really about their enthusiasm for the game, and the energy that they bring.

“And that’s why, after all these years, I still play DotA every day.”

“Now we’re back in Germany once more to cheer and celebrate again. Oh Mann, viele das ein spaß (translated: Oh man, this is going to be so much fun).”

“To all the DotA fans who have been with us since day one, to those of you who’ve joined us along the way, and to any of you who are tuning in for the first time: Welcome to The International,” he announced, to roars from the crowd as TI’s opening ceremony concluded.

Xtreme Gaming outlast Tundra in the first series of The International playoffs

Xtreme gaming took Tundra down 2-0 as their Group Stage form continued into the playoffs.

Xtreme went undefeated in TI’s Swiss-format group stage, recording a 4-0 record, making them betting sites favourites for the event, potentially breaking EU’s dominance at TI for the first time since 2016.

That unbeaten record looked under threat in Game 1 as a tepid start with few engagements gave way to a mid-game state that favoured Tundra, who had a significant gold lead.

Not for the first time at this event, that gold lead did not materialise in a victory for Tundra as Xtreme’s engagements consistently favoured the Chinese roster, ultimately leading to their victory.

In Game 2, Xtreme were in assured control almost from the off, despite starting 0-3 in kills.

The Chinese roster asserted themselves early as Wang ‘Ame’ Chunyu starred on Clinkz, going 8-5-4 with a whopping 837 gold per minute.

Xtreme closed the series 2-0, much to the delight of the travelling Chinese fans.

For Tundra, missing Matthew ‘Whitemon’ Filemon, they must find a way to compete in the lower bracket.

Xtreme gained more control the later each contest went. With DotA’s slow meta, games go longer and longer. If Tundra are to overcome their challengers, they will have to find solutions despite having a stand-in.

Is that realistic? That remains to be seen.

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.

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