Team Falcons DOTA 2 is Disbanding After Winning T1 2025

The DOTA 2 community is abuzz: just a year after winning The International 2025, Team Falcons is disbanding its entire roster for good. Let’s recap the situation, what netizens are saying, and why it’s happening.

Team Falcons’ DOTA 2 Roster is Disbanding

Saudi org Falcons Esports has made major investments in multiple esports titles in recent years. Some of these ventures have seen success. In Counter-Strike, for example, the team’s lineup recently won IEM Cologne 2026, securing industry veteran NiKo his first Major trophy.

DOTA 2 was another title where Team Falcons gained global renown. Just last year in 2025, the Falcons made history by winning The International, defeating Xtreme Gaming in a tense Grand Final. This world champtionship netted them over 1 million USD (DOTA’s TI is known for having some of the largest prize pools in esports history) and esports glory.

Now, however, the organization has announced Team Falcons will officially disband its DOTA 2 lineup. The move garnered some confusion from fans, especially because the org previously reassured it would “come back stronger” after its TI 2026 showing just a few weeks ago.

Why is Team Falcons DOTA 2 Disbanding?

On September 6, 2026, the team posted an official statement reading:

Official Statement – بـيـان رسـمـي https://t.co/pnQTyxfHTd pic.twitter.com/k4GH1uk2pp

— Falcons Esports (@FalconsEsport) September 6, 2026

“At Team Falcons, our goal is to build long-term, high-impact programs across global esports. Following a strategic review of our multi-title roadmap for 2026 and beyond, we have made the decision to step back from Dota 2.

While Dota 2 holds a legendary place in competitive gaming, our global focus is shifting toward expanding ecosystems that offer greater strategic alignment and long-term operational sustainability for our organisation.“

It seems like the decision arose from an investment standpoint, and is based on profitability. The Team Falcons message continued:

“Above all, our heart goes out to the extraordinary players, coaches, and support staff who gave everything to this banner. From day one to ultimately lifting the TI trophy in Hamburg, your talent, sacrifice, and relentless fight made us who we are. We are endlessly proud of what we built together and are actively supporting everyone as they transition to their next steps.

This isn’t a step back from our ambition, it’s a focused push forward toward our future. As we shift our energy toward new horizons, we carry every victory and lesson with us. Above all, to our fans: thank you for your unwavering passion, your roars in the arenas, your support in the chat and every bit of love you’ve shown us along the way. The Falcons journey continues, and we can’t wait to share what’s next.”

‘Farewell, DOTA 2’

Team Falcons’ decision might also have something to do with its TI 2026 performance. The roster, including skiter, Malr1ne, ATF, Cr1t-, and Sneyking, failed to progress past the Playoffs’ first lower-bracket stage. It was a respectable performance, but it was a noticable decline from their previous win.

The Falcons accompanied their statement with a message saying, “it’s been an incredible ride.” They included a highlight reel of the team’s most important moments.

Farewell, Dota 2 💚. it’s been an incredible ride. Thanks to the players, staff, and the community for the unforgettable memories

نهاية قصة فالكونز في لعبة دوتا 2 🦅. شكرًا للاعبين، الطاقم الإداري، الجماهير ولكل من كان جزءًا من هذا الإرث pic.twitter.com/fX8lI9xNed

— Falcons Esports (@FalconsEsport) September 6, 2026

The Community Reacts to Team Falcons Leaving DOTA 2

Netizens had largely mixed reactions to the move, with Falcons fans and rivals alike popping in to offer their perspectives. Team Falcons has had a controversial reputation in some of the esports titles it’s migrated to. Some esports fans express frustration at the org’s pattern of buying out star players with large contracts, placing them on a ‘super-team,’ and investing heavily into winning international events. Especially in the Counter-Strike community, some community members feel the team’s resources give them an unfair advantage.

Vocal critics are dissatisfied with the DOTA 2 disbandment because it reinforces the team’s money-centered reputation. By a different token, Falcons supporters are also upset, since many of them grew to genuinely love the team regardless of its profit performance.

So dota 2 is not able to meet your kpi benchmarks? Who would have thought

— Toxic (@Thokchom334) September 6, 2026

User @Thokchom 334 criticized the org for prioritizing “KPI benchmarks.” Another commentor says they suppose the team doesn’t want to “burn some [more] money” to keep its roster running.

All that said, the decision also opened up discourse about the state of the greater DOTA 2 esports community. It’s no secret that MOBAs like DOTA and League of Legends have a very steep learning curve. This means it’s hard to get new players into the casual community, let alone court them to the esports circuit. Faster-paced FPS titles offer easier-to-pick-up competition.

The DOTA community has also been dissatisfied with some of Valve’s recent updates. Falcons has not been the only org to leave the scene in recent years. Despite this, DOTA 2 is notorious for being Valve (and Gabe Newell’s) ‘favorite child,’ receiving star-studded tournament visits and more promotion than Counter-Strike in some cases. Newell personally announces and appears at most TI events. He is also known to play the game in his spare time.

Stay tuned for more DOTA 2 esports news.