Team Secret’s Current Status in Dota 2

Team Secret has been absent from recent Dota 2 tournaments. The team last appeared in the middle of 2025, entering several qualifiers but not advancing deep in any of them. After these results, the organization stated that it would step away from active competition. The pause is described as a hiatus rather than a permanent exit. Team Secret is not searching for a new roster at this time, and it does not plan to field a lineup in upcoming events. The organization made clear that it may return to the scene if a suitable opportunity appears, but for now it will remain inactive.

Short-Lived 2025 Lineup and Disbandment

In early 2025, Team Secret assembled a roster intended specifically for qualifiers. The players were Ilya “Kiritych” Ulyanov as carry, Maxim “re1bl” Afanasiev, Alexander “Cloud” Zakharov, Tiago “Thiolicor” Coldeiro, and captain Clement “Puppey” Ivanov. According to Kiritych, the lineup was formed without long-term contracts and existed only to compete in that qualifying window. The team attempted to qualify for major events, including Riyadh Masters and The International 2025, but did not make it through. Once those attempts ended, the roster dissolved. This confirmed the short-term nature of the project and led to the organization’s broader pause from competition.

Official Statements and Future Outlook

Team Secret posted a message on X saying, “See you again, Dota 2.” The note explained that while the organization remains open to suitable opportunities and partnerships, it is currently outside the active competitive scene. This means there are no ongoing efforts to recruit a new lineup and no plans to enter upcoming qualifiers or tournaments. The message stops short of a full exit, signaling that a return is possible if the right conditions arise. For fans and observers, this sets expectations: do not anticipate near-term appearances under the Team Secret banner, but do not rule out a comeback.

Changes Around Puppey and Staff Status

Clement “Puppey” Ivanov, a central figure in the team’s history, ended his record-setting run of more than ten years with Team Secret’s Dota 2 squad. After the 2025 qualifiers and the roster’s disbandment, he moved into a coaching role for PARIVISION. This shift marked a significant change for both the player and the organization. Public listings reflect the current status: as of January 28, 2026, Liquipedia marks Team Secret’s Dota 2 team as inactive. It notes Puppey as the sole active player entry in Position 5, even as the team itself is not competing. Some staff members, including coaches Heen and ah fu, remain attached to the organization on these listings, showing that not all ties have been cut even though no active roster is registered.

Competitive Challenges Since 2023

Team Secret’s path through 2023 and 2024 was marked by frequent roster changes. This instability made it hard to build consistent form. Results often fell short of expectations, and attempted rebuilds did not hold for long. By the time the 2025 qualifiers arrived, the team had already cycled through several configurations. The short-term lineup created for early 2025 reflected this ongoing search for stability. When that project did not qualify for key events, the organization chose to pause and reconsider its approach rather than continue making rapid changes.

What the Hiatus Means for Fans and Events

Fans will not see Team Secret in current tournament brackets, open qualifiers, or regional leagues. The organization is not fielding a squad, so there will be no match schedules, roster announcements, or event results tied to the brand for the time being. Occasional updates may appear on official channels to clarify status or respond to opportunities, but there is no timetable for a return. If a credible partnership or a strong lineup plan becomes available, Team Secret has indicated it would consider re-entering the scene. Until then, the team’s Dota 2 operations remain on hold.

Key Facts and Timeline

The last active run from Team Secret came in mid-2025, when the organization entered multiple qualifiers. Those attempts did not produce deep runs or event qualifications. The early 2025 lineup of Kiritych, re1bl, Cloud, Thiolicor, and Puppey was assembled only for that window and ended shortly after the team failed to reach Riyadh Masters and The International 2025. Following the disbandment, the organization announced a temporary step back from competitive Dota 2. As of January 28, 2026, major public databases list the team as inactive, with staff ties still present but no active roster. Puppey, long the face of the team, moved on to coach elsewhere, closing a notable chapter in the organization’s history.

Clarifications on What Is and Isn’t Planned

Team Secret has not shut down its broader operations, but it is not building a new Dota 2 lineup right now. There are no active qualifying efforts and no hidden roster under trial. While the organization has expressed openness to partnerships, there is no confirmed project in motion. Puppey is not assembling a new Team Secret roster, as he has already taken a coaching role outside the organization. The current stance is simple: remain inactive, consider options, and return only if the circumstances make sense. This approach reflects lessons from recent seasons and aims to avoid repeated short-term roster experiments.