The International 2023 Draws in Dota 2 Fans Despite Lower Prize Pool
Despite the disappointment over the tournament’s prize pool, Dota 2 fans are still flocking to watch this year’s edition of The International. The group stage of TI 2023 has managed to keep fans engaged, thanks in part to the diverse mix of teams still competing.
A report from viewership stats site Esports Charts on Oct. 16 showed a slight decrease in average viewership, but the high points of the group stage more than made up for it. The top match of this year’s group stage, Team Spirit vs. Shopify Rebellion, saw over 60,000 more viewers compared to last year’s edition.
Interestingly, the peak group stage game of this year also featured Team Spirit, drawing in 748,744 viewers as they defeated Shopify Rebellion 2-0 to advance to the playoffs upper bracket. Spirit’s recent success, along with other CIS-based teams like BetBoom and Virtus Pro, has increased their popularity at TI.
One of the key advantages of TI 2023 is its location. Returning to Seattle, U.S. has resulted in a more favorable timezone for audiences in Russia, Europe, and America. Last year’s event in Singapore catered well to viewers in China and Southeast Asia, but there is a noticeable difference in viewership on Twitch and YouTube between the two regions.
Another factor to consider is the format change of the tournament. The previous round robin format with nine or ten teams has been replaced with a shorter and arguably cleaner group stage and playoff setup. Viewership is still spread across four streams, but it is much more manageable. The changed format has also reduced the number of “dead rubber” matches.
The overall production quality of TI 2023 has also contributed to its success. Unlike last year’s event, which was plagued by numerous issues that caused fans to lose interest, this year’s production has been consistent and enjoyable, providing a better viewing experience.
The playoff weekend is approaching quickly, with the top eight teams securing their spots in the main finals next week. Only time will tell if TI 2023 can match the success of last year’s event, which attracted over 1.7 million viewers for the TI 11 finals and averaged 553,000 viewers throughout the month.
Early indications are promising, but TI 12 may need a captivating storyline or two to surpass expectations.