Valve has officially opened the team registration portal for the professional circuit, marking the start of the most high-stakes period in the competitive calendar. For managers and players, the clock is ticking; the hard deadline for registration is set for Monday, May 18th, at 2pm PDT. Missing this window doesn't just mean a headache—it disqualifies a squad from receiving direct invitations and renders them ineligible for the Regional Qualifiers.
This year's cycle introduces a critical participation agreement focused on player fairness. It is a clear signal from Valve that as the tournament returns to one of its most passionate regions, maintaining the integrity of the competition is the top priority. Managers must register the team entity first, followed by each individual player joining the roster manually through the official pro team registration site.
For the average player, this news signals the start of the "TI Season" hype. While we wait for the meta to solidify before the August main event, the upcoming Regional Qualifiers will be the first real test for the new rosters. Seeing the tournament return to China is a massive nod to the region's historical dominance and fanatical support for the game. Whether you are a pro looking for your shot at the prize pool or a fan ready to witness the highest level of Dota 2, the next few weeks of roster locks will define the competitive landscape for the rest of the year.
Soren