The International: Dota 2’s Biggest Esports Tournament
The International, or TI, is the ultimate esports tournament for Dota 2. It brings together 18 teams from around the world to compete in high-stakes matches and fight for a share of the largest cash prize in esports history. In 2021, the prize pool reached a record-breaking $40,018,195 USD, with Team Spirit taking home over $18 million USD as the winners.
Each year, only one team can lift the Aegis of Champions at TI, making their mark in Dota history in front of fans both in-person and online.
When Will Dota 2’s The International 2023 Take Place?
In a recent blog post, Valve announced that The International 2023 will begin on October 14, 2023. This year’s tournament will feature a new format and schedule, spread out over three subsequent weekends instead of the usual two-week event.
The group stage will now include four groups of five teams, with the bottom team from each group being eliminated. The remaining teams will play in a best-of-three playoff against teams from other groups.
Where Will The International 2023 Be Played?
The International 2023 will be held in Seattle, WA, in the U.S. This city has been the home of The International since its early days, with the tournament outgrowing smaller venues and moving to larger arenas over the years.
In 2023, the group stage will be played behind closed doors, while the playoffs will take place at the Seattle Convention Center’s Summit Building. The main event will be held in the KeyArena, now known as the Climate Pledge Arena.
Can I Buy Tickets to Attend The International 2023?
Tickets for The International 2023 will go on sale on August 25 and August 28. While the group stage is not open to the public, tickets will be available for both the playoffs and the main event.
All tickets will be sold via Ticketmaster, and specific dates and times for each ticket type can be found on their website.
All Teams Qualified for The International 2023
Teams qualify for The International through the Dota Pro Circuit, earning points based on their performance in regional tours and Majors. The top 12 teams with the most points receive direct invitations to the tournament, while the remaining teams must fight through regional qualifiers.
Here are the teams that have qualified for The International 2023:
- North America: Nouns Esports
- South America: Keyd Stars, Thunder Awaken
- Western Europe: Entity, Quest Esports
- Eastern Europe: Virtus Pro
- China: Azure Ray
- Southeast Asia: Team SMG