OG has introduced again Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen to headline its new roster for the 2026-27 Dota 2 season, reuniting the organisation with the midlaner who helped it turn into a two-time The International champion.
New-look lineup confirmed
John Anthony “Natsumi” Vargas and Andrei “skem” Ong keep on as carry and arduous help respectively, giving OG continuity from final season’s Filipino-anchored lineup. Topson slots again in as midlaner, whereas Valery “SSS” Lazarev and Ivan “OneJey” Zhivitsky be part of for the place 3 and place 4 roles, changing outgoing gamers Timothy “TIMS” Randrup and Polo “Raven” Fausto. Igor “kaffs” Estevão, who most lately labored with LGD and HEROIC, takes over as head coach. No monetary or contract phrases had been disclosed alongside the announcement, as reported by esports.gg.
The confirmed roster reads as follows:
- Natsumi – carry
- Topson – midlaner
- SSS – place 3
- OneJey – place 4
- skem – arduous help
- kaffs – head coach
Topson’s street again to OG
Topson stays considered one of Dota 2’s most recognisable gamers, having anchored OG’s back-to-back triumphs at The Worldwide in 2018 and 2019 and constructing a popularity for unconventional hero picks which have repeatedly discovered success on the prime degree. He later frolicked with Tundra Esports, serving to the facet to a third-place end, earlier than a short-notice stint with LGD at TI15 that led to a Ninth-Thirteenth placement.
Within the interim, he was largely occupied with streaming and occasional appearances for veteran-heavy sides Monkey Enterprise and Retirement House. The reunion caps a interval of upheaval for OG, which cycled by means of a number of adjustments over the previous 12 months, together with its signing of TorontoTokyo and a stretch of roster and training turbulence covered by Esports Insider earlier within the 12 months.
What’s subsequent?
OG’s rebuilt roster will make its aggressive debut at BLAST SLAM VIII, which begins on September 29, 2026. The organisation acquired a direct invitation to the Tier 1 occasion, which runs throughout on-line and offline phases earlier than playoffs at BLAST Area Studios in Malta, giving Topson a direct, high-profile stage for his return to top-flight Dota 2.
