You are watching a major shift in the Dota 2 competitive scene as Team Secret steps away from active tournament play. The European organization confirmed that it will not field a roster for upcoming events, placing its Dota 2 division on hiatus for now. While it remains open to future opportunities, it has paused its current competitive efforts.
You can see the impact of this decision across the community, with teams such as OG and Aurora Gaming expressing disappointment. BOOM Esports, which previously made a similar move, also voiced its support. Team Secret’s absence marks a notable pause for one of the scene’s long-standing organizations.
From glory to hiatus: The story of Team Secret
You can trace Team Secret’s roots back to 2014, when leading figures such as Kuro “KuroKy” Salehi Takhasomi and Johan “N0tail” Sundstein envisioned a squad run by players themselves. Clement “Puppey” Ivanov soon became the central figure who turned that concept into a lasting organization and long-term project.
Under Puppey’s direction, you watched elite talent develop and thrive. Players like Michał “Nisha” Jankowski, Ludwig “zai” Wåhlberg, and Yazied “YapzOr” Jaradat built reputations for precise mechanics and disciplined execution.
Despite frequent roster moves, the team stayed competitive across multiple seasons. You saw consistent results in both premier and secondary events, with a peak period between 2019 and 2020.
During that stretch, Secret secured major titles, including:
- Chongqing Major
- MDL Disneyland Paris Major
- DreamLeague Season 13
Prize winnings over more than a decade exceeded $18 million, reflecting steady placements at top events.
The International remained the missing achievement. The closest approach came in 2022, when Team Secret reached the grand final but fell to Tundra Esports. After failing to qualify for TI 2025 and stepping back from competition in early 2026, you now see the organization on hiatus rather than fully withdrawn from Dota 2.
Puppey’s Current Role in 2026
You now see Puppey working behind the scenes rather than drafting on stage. As of February 2026, he serves as head coach of PARIVISION, marking his first formal coaching position after years as an active captain.
He also remains involved with Team Secret as the organization’s talent director.
While Secret struggled in Western Europe’s closed qualifiers for The International 2025, the club continues operating in titles such as VALORANT, Rocket League, and Rainbow Six Siege, even as its Dota 2 roster steps back.
