Dota 2 Breaks Esports Record with Record Prize Pool for The International 7
The International 7 prize pool has officially surpassed the previous tournament’s record, making history in the world of Dota 2 and esports. The current prize pool stands at an impressive $20,772,353, making it the largest ever for a single event in the industry’s history.
Crowdfunding and the Battle Pass
Similar to past editions of Valve’s flagship tournament, the prize pool for The International 7 was crowdfunded through the Battle Pass. This virtual item includes the TI7 compendium, which allows players to make predictions on the tournament’s bracket, among other features. In addition to the compendium, players also receive cosmetic items, in-game effects, and other rewards based on the level of their Battle Pass.
Valve initially set the base prize pool at $1.6 million, the same amount as in previous years. However, through crowdfunding alone, the total prize pool was increased by over 1,200%.
Record-Breaking Timeline
TI7 managed to break the record in a shorter period of time compared to last year. According to the International prize tracker managed by Team Secret’s Matthew “Cyborgmatt” Bailey, the record was broken 20 days earlier than the previous year. The biggest increase in Battle Pass sales happened around Day 50, coinciding with the release of the Battle Level bundle.
Continued Crowdfunding and Event Details
Crowdfunding for The International 7 will continue for another 32 days, meaning the prize pool will continue to grow. Valve is also set to release the third and final Immortal Treasure, which could further boost sales. The event’s group stage will begin on August 2nd at KeyArena in Seattle, with a total of 18 teams competing. This year’s tournament will feature players from a record-breaking 25 countries.
esports, Dota 2, The International 7, prize pool, Battle Pass, Valve, crowdfunded, tournament
