Big news hit the Dota 2 scene on May 2, 2025, when ESL dropped a bombshell: Tundra Esports withdraws from DreamLeague Season 26, one of the heaviest hitters in the ESL Pro Tour (EPT). Stepping up to fill the void is NAVI Junior, the scrappy academy squad from the legendary Ukrainian org Natus Vincere (NAVI). This shake-up has fans buzzing, especially since Tundra’s still got a strong shot at a direct invite to the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025.
What’s Behind Tundra’s Exit?
So, why did Tundra Esports withdraw? The team’s been grinding hard through a jam-packed schedule, and with massive events like The International (TI) 2025 and the EWC 2025 looming, it feels like they’re hitting the pause button to catch their breath. DreamLeague’s two-week marathon format is no joke, and Tundra might be playing it smart by saving their energy for the big leagues.
The withdrawal didn’t come free, though. ESL slapped Tundra with a 20% cut to their EPT points, nudging them down from fifth to sixth on the leaderboard, just trailing TI champs Team Liquid. But let’s be real—Tundra’s still sitting pretty with a comfy points buffer, and they’re almost guaranteed a Top 10 spot for that sweet $3 million EWC 2025 invite.
NAVI Junior Grabs the Spotlight
NAVI Junior gets a golden ticket to DreamLeague Season 26 after Tundra Esports withdraws, running from May 19 to June 1, 2025. Led by the seasoned Bakyt “Zayac” Emilzhanov, this young crew’s been turning heads, clawing their way from small-time qualifiers to a solid Top 8 at PGL Wallachia Season 4. Now, they’ve got a chance to shine on a major stage.
Not everyone’s thrilled, though. Some fans are scratching their heads, wondering why Team Secret, who outdid NAVI Junior in the Western European qualifiers, didn’t get the nod. ESL’s statement was short and sweet: they picked an eligible team from the qualifiers, and NAVI Junior said yes. Whether Team Secret got a call or not is anyone’s guess.
Why DreamLeague Season 26 Matters
DreamLeague Season 26 is the grand finale of the series this year and the last big EPT event before the EWC 2025. With only five direct EWC invites up for grabs, expect a total slugfest as teams scramble for those precious EPT points. Heavyweights like PARIVISION, Team Spirit, BetBoom Team, Team Falcons, and Team Liquid are already locked in for the EWC, so the pressure’s on for everyone else.
Tundra’s Big Picture and What’s Next
Tundra Esports withdrawing from DreamLeague Season 26 screams confidence. They’re betting on their EWC 2025 slot and banking on rest to come out swinging at TI 2025 and beyond. Meanwhile, NAVI Junior’s ready to stir things up, and who knows? They might just steal the show.
Keep your eyes peeled for DreamLeague Season 26—it’s shaping up to be a wild ride. Can NAVI Junior make waves, and will Tundra’s gamble pay off? The Dota 2 world’s holding its breath for what’s next.
