Team Tidebound announces exit from Dota 2 competitive scene

Chinese esports organisation Team Tidebound has shut down just a year after entering the competitive Dota 2 scene.

The decision was made after assessing the ‘current CN Dota talent environment and long-term development.’

“After careful consideration and a difficult decision by the club’s management, we regret to formally announce that the Tidebound Esports Club will officially transition to inactive status effective immediately,” Team Tidebound announced on Weibo.

That said, four out of the five players on the roster have already found organisations to compete with ahead of the 2026 season.

Team Tidebound’s lineup consisted of some of the best Dota 2 players in the region such as The International 2016 and Riyadh Masters 2022 winners Zhang ‘y`’ Yiping and Zhang ‘Faith_bian’ Ruida.

Debuting in DreamLeague Season 25: China Open Qualifier 1, the team quickly made a name for itself by winning multiple qualifiers, earning spots at PGL Wallachia Season 3 and ESL One Raleigh 2025.

During its one-year tenure, Team Tidebound lifted the Clavision Masters 2025: Snow-Ruyi trophy and then finished as runners-up at the Asian Champions League 2025.

The organisation also qualified for The International 2025 in Hamburg, where it advanced to the playoffs before getting eliminated at the hands of Nigma Galaxy.

“We extend our highest respect to all members who have represented the club. Thank you for the countless days and nights of hard work in the training room, for travelling tirelessly to competitions, and for turning the tide time and again,” the club added.

Support players y`and Lin ‘planet’ Hao, along with carry Guo ‘shiro’ Xuanang, have joined Vici Gaming. Meanwhile, midlaner Cheng ‘NothingToSay’ Jin Xiang has transferred to Xtreme Gaming.

Both Vici Gaming and Xtreme Gaming will return to the stage at ESL Challenger China, set to take place from January 30th to February 1st.

Offlaner Faith_bian, on the other hand, hasn’t announced his next destination at the moment.

 Disclaimer: The quotes above have been translated from Chinese, so there may be slight variations in the official wording.