Tundra Steps Away From Dota 2 Ahead of EWC 2026 and TI 2026

One of the most successful teams in recent Dota 2 history is officially coming to an end.

Tundra Esports announced on Friday that it is parting ways with its entire Dota 2 roster, including:

• 33
• bzm
• Pure
• Ari
• Whitemon
• and coach MoonMeander

The announcement came shortly after the team's disappointing finish at BLAST Slam VII, where Tundra failed to reach the playoffs despite entering the event as one of the favorites.

In its farewell message, the organization looked back on a six-year journey that included a victory at The International 2022, multiple BLAST Slam championships, DreamLeague Season 28, ESL One Birmingham 2026, and several other top-tier titles.

For many fans, the announcement came out of nowhere. This was not a roster in decline. Just weeks ago, Tundra was still lifting trophies and competing with the best teams in the world.

One Of The Best Teams In Dota 2 This Year

Unlike many roster disbands, this one does not follow a long stretch of disappointing results.

Tundra entered 2026 as one of the strongest teams in professional Dota 2 and largely lived up to those expectations. The roster captured DreamLeague Season 28 before adding another major title at ESL One Birmingham 2026. At various points throughout the season, the team looked capable of winning any event it entered.

That makes the timing particularly surprising. Tundra was not rebuilding. It was still contending for championships.

The organization was also already invited to both The International 2026 and Esports World Cup 2026, making the decision even more unexpected from a competitive standpoint.

1WIN Will Take Over The Roster

The good news for fans is that the players are not disappearing from the competitive scene.

Shortly after Tundra's announcement, betting company 1WIN confirmed that it would take over the roster. The team is expected to retain its invitations to both The International 2026 and Esports World Cup 2026, ensuring that one of the strongest squads in the world remains intact heading into the biggest tournaments of the year.

For the players, the move provides stability at a time when roster uncertainty often dominates the months leading up to TI. For fans, it means the lineup that won DreamLeague Season 28 and ESL One Birmingham 2026 will continue competing together rather than being split apart.

Another Reminder Of How Difficult Esports Can Be

The announcement arrives only a few months after HEROIC exited Dota 2, with its roster eventually finding a new home under LGD Gaming.

The circumstances are different, but both stories point toward the same reality. Running a top-tier esports organization has become increasingly difficult, even when results are strong.

There was a time when every major organization wanted a Dota 2 roster. During the peak years of The International, prize pools reached levels no other esport could match. Today, the scene remains healthy and highly competitive, but organizations operate in a much different financial environment.

The challenge extends far beyond Dota 2. Earlier this year, T1 reported its first profitable year despite spending more than a decade as one of the most recognizable brands in esports and fielding teams around players such as Faker.

Esports is still capable of producing world-class competition and global audiences. The business side, however, remains difficult to navigate.

Tundra's departure is another reminder of that reality. At the same time, the roster's move to 1WIN ensures that one of the best teams in Dota 2 will still be present when The International and the Esports World Cup arrive later this year; although they may not compete under the 1WIN name, with Valve's sponsorship rules forcing gambling-affiliated organizations to adopt alternative branding at TI15.