After Shopify’s exit, another top-tier team disbands its Dota 2 roster before TI14

The professional Dota 2 scene is facing a turbulent shake-up just days before The International 2025 (TI14).

After Shopify Rebellion’s sudden exit and the Gaimin Gladiators’ withdrawal controversy, AVULUS initially announced it had disbanded its roster. The organization issued a short statement confirming its departure, but the lack of details left fans speculating about the growing instability of esports organizations within competitive Dota 2.

The timing couldn’t be more concerning. With TI14 looming, back-to-back organizational exits threaten the event’s competitive integrity and cast doubts on the long-term sustainability of the scene. AVULUS’ exit is the third major disbandment in recent weeks, and its abrupt nature underscores a troubling trend of teams pulling out during the business end of the season.

In a surprising update, AVULUS later confirmed that Aliaksei “Smiling Knight” Svirydau and Vitaliy “Worick” Brezgin will remain with the organization despite earlier announcements. The team now plans to build a fresh roster for the post-TI14 season, signaling that its exit wasn’t as definitive as many fans first believed. This quick reversal highlights just how unpredictable organizational decisions can be in professional Dota 2, where statements can shift dramatically.

Unlike Shopify Rebellion’s full departure or the controversy around Gaimin Gladiators, AVULUS seems to be taking a more calculated path forward. The organization is positioning itself for a strategic rebuild rather than a complete collapse by retaining two players.

Smiling Knight’s leadership and history with AVULUS provide a stable core, while Worick’s presence adds continuity as the team prepares for its next chapter. Instead of treating the situation as a crisis, AVULUS is framing it as a chance to restructure and strengthen, a move that could pay off in the competitive landscape after TI14.

AVULUS’ situation couldn’t have unfolded at a more crucial moment. Despite being one of the highest-ranked teams in the ESL Pro Tour (EPT) standings, the roster failed to secure a spot at The International 2025 (TI14). Its initial decision to disband shocked fans and seemed to eliminate itself as a possible replacement for Gaimin Gladiators’ vacant slot. In the end, that coveted invitation went to Yakutou Brothers, leaving AVULUS sidelined during the year’s biggest Dota 2 tournament.

The professional Dota 2 ecosystem is clearly in a period of transition, with recent organizational moves highlighting just how unstable the scene has become. Shopify Rebellion’s strategic departure, the controversial withdrawal of Gaimin Gladiators, and AVULUS’s brief disbandment before shifting toward selective roster retention all tell very different stories.

Some teams have chosen to exit completely, while others have sparked debate through contested decisions. However, AVULUS’s decision to hold onto key players while planning for the future points toward a more adaptive and potentially sustainable approach.

With The International 2025 (TI14) right around the corner, it’s becoming increasingly clear that long-term organizational health in Dota 2 requires more than just short bursts of funding or talent acquisition.

True stability lies in financial sustainability, smart roster management, and strategic flexibility. By retaining Smiling Knight and Worick, AVULUS shows that organizations don’t have to abandon competitive ambitions when faced with challenges. Instead, it can use these moments as opportunities to restructure and rebuild, offering hope that the pro scene can evolve under pressure rather than collapse.