The playoffs of ESL One Raleigh 2025 officially kicked off with two electrifying Upper Bracket Semifinals, and fans were treated to some of the best Dota the tournament has offered so far. In two tightly contested series, Tundra Esports and Team Spirit emerged victorious, each securing a coveted spot in the Upper Bracket Final and moving one step closer to the Grand Final in front of a roaring Raleigh crowd.
Let’s break down the results, highlight the key moments, and look ahead to what’s next.
Tundra Esports 2-1 PARIVISION: Comeback Kings Strike Again
In a much-anticipated clash, Tundra Esports faced off against Group A toppers PARIVISION in the first Upper Bracket Semifinal. PARIVISION came into the series with an impressive 9-1 game record from groups, while Tundra had just edged out BetBoom Team in a tiebreaker to secure second in Group B.
Series Recap
- Game 1: PARIVISION opened strong, showcasing surgical execution and clean macro play to take the opener.
- Game 2: Tundra bounced back with relentless pressure from their offlane duo, slowly choking PARIVISION’s farm and flipping the momentum.
- Game 3: Tundra took over completely, with Crystallis shiningon a hypercarry and bzm controlling the map with pinpoint spellcasting.
With the 2-1 win, Tundra now advance to the Upper Bracket Final, continuing their deep run with stand-in Crystallis thriving in the carry role.
Team Spirit 2-1 Team Falcons: Yatoro Outshines the Stand-in Squad
The second semifinal saw a heavyweight battle between Team Spirit and Team Falcons, the latter playing with Quinn as a stand-in for Malr1ne.
Series Recap
- Game 1: Falcons stormed out of the gate, with Skiter and Cr1t- executing perfectly timed pickoffs to dismantle Spirit.
- Game 2: Spirit adjusted beautifully. Larl’s midlane control turned the tides, and Yatoro cleaned up fights with surgical precision.
- Game 3: In a chaotic, back-and-forth decider, Spirit’s draft and discipline gave them the edge. Yatoro was once again untouchable.
The 2-1 win sends Team Spirit to meet Tundra in the Upper Bracket Final, rekindling a high-profile CIS rivalry under the North American spotlight.
What’s Next: Upper Bracket Final & Lower Bracket Action
With these results, Tundra Esports and Team Spirit will face off in the Upper Bracket Final for a direct shot at the Grand Final.
Upcoming Matches
- Upper Bracket Final: Tundra Esports vs. Team Spirit
- Lower Bracket Round 1:
- Team Liquid vs. AVULUS
- BetBoom Team vs. Nigma Galaxy
The losers of the semifinals, PARIVISION and Team Falcons, drop to the Lower Bracket Quarterfinals, awaiting winners from Round 1.
Meta Check: Roar, Silence, and Sustain
A few key trends are dominating the playoff meta:
- Beastmaster mid is rising in popularity due to his tempo, farm rate, and insane teamfight presence with Aghanim’s.
- Ancient Apparition and Warlock remain high-impact position 5s, excelling in both healing denial and teamfight lockdown.
- Medusa, despite some innovation in offlane builds, is still a heavily banned and contested core.
- Tinker continues to terrorize drafts, with Rearm + Defense Matrix combos still proving oppressive.
Teams have also experimented with Keeper of the Light, particularly as a mana support for Storm and Medusa.
With the playoff bracket heating up and rivalries reignited, ESL One Raleigh 2025 is delivering on all fronts. Whether it’s Tundra’s cohesion, Spirit’s clutch playmaking, or the explosive potential of Lower Bracket runs, the next few days promise Dota at its absolute best.
Get ready for LAN chaos—because every series now could be tournament-defining.
FAQs
Q: Who is in the Upper Bracket Final?
A: Tundra Esports vs. Team Spirit.
Q: What happens to PARIVISION and Team Falcons?
A: They drop to the Lower Bracket Quarterfinals.
Q: When does the Grand Final take place?
A: Sunday, April 13. The Grand Final is best-of-five.
Q: Who plays in the Lower Bracket next?
A: Team Liquid vs. AVULUS, and BetBoom Team vs. Nigma Galaxy.
Q: Is the event on LAN now?
A: Yes! All playoff matches are held live in Raleigh, North Carolina.
