When people talk about big money in esports, Dota 2 is almost always part of the conversation. The MOBA game has been home to record-breaking prize pools and wins that have changed lives for players.
Though we’re no longer in the glory days of The International breaking past the $40 million mark, third-party tournaments like DreamLeague, ESL One, and the Esports World Cup have added more high-stakes events to the Dota 2 calendar. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest Dota 2 tournaments and what they usually pay out.
The International (TI)
- Prize pool: $1.6 million base + community funding (Historically $20 to $40 million)
The International is the Dota 2 tournament. It’s the world championship, hosted by Valve itself every year since 2011. For years, TI has shattered esports records thanks to the Battle Pass and Compendium systems, where the community can directly crowdfund the bulk of the prize pool. That’s how we got absurd numbers like TI10’s $40 million prize pot in 2021, with previous years reaching up to the $20 to $30 million mark.
However, the prize money has dipped in recent editions since Valve abolished the crowdfunding system. Still, TI’s prestige hasn’t faded. Winning it is still the way to cement a team in esports history forever.
The International is held once a year and takes place as an offline LAN. The event rotates cities across the globe, from Seattle to Shanghai, Bucharest, and Singapore. It is the ultimate tournament to win for all Dota 2 pros.
Esports World Cup (Formerly Riyadh Masters)
- Prize pool: $3 to $15 million
With TI’s prize money taking a significant dip, the Esports World Cup has become the new golden swan for Dota 2. Formerly known as Riyadh Masters, the EWC in Saudi Arabia has quickly cemented itself as the largest non-TI event in the game’s history.
The first iteration debuted with a staggering $15 million prize pool, but has since settled around the $3 million mark – and let’s be real, that’s still a lot of money.
The EWC is a single annual offline mega-event featuring multiple esports titles under one roof, and Dota’s share of the pool is one of the highest. Though attention may occasionally drift to the other games alongside it, the EWC has already cemented itself as a cornerstone of the Dota 2 calendar.
ESL One
- Prize pool: $1 million
After Valve scrapped the official Dota 2 Majors system, ESL One events quickly became the next best thing. These events are high-stakes tournaments with stacked lineups and big city arenas packed with thousands of fans in attendance.
Though the prize pools aren’t astronomical, ESL One events are full-blown LAN spectacles, with stages designed for maximum hype. On top of money and glory, teams also earn valuable EPT points, which go toward securing invitations to the Esports World Cup.
For many pros and fans, ESL One events scratch that “Major” itch that has gone missing, offering both the atmosphere and level of play you’d expect from a top-tier international event.
DreamLeague
- Prize pool: $1 million per season
DreamLeague is one of the most consistent and competitive online Dota 2 tournaments, running three iterations each year with 27 in total by the end of 2025.
While the $1 million prize pool is already enticing, additional rewards include ESL Pro Tour (EPT) points on the line. These points play a crucial role in securing direct invites to the Esports World Cup, making every match in DreamLeague more than just a battle for cash.
Despite being online, DreamLeague events tend to run longer than most LAN tournaments, featuring more matches thanks to their extended league-style format. The event is also renowned for its top-tier production, often surpassing that of major LAN tournaments.
BLAST Slam
- Prize pool: $1 million per season
One of the newer additions to the Dota 2 circuit, BLAST Slam has wasted no time making its mark in new territory. The series will feature four iterations in 2025 alone, with most seasons taking place at the BLAST Studios in Denmark – a cozy, high-tech environment perfect for tight competition. In the studio, the tournament is played without a crowd.
But the big milestone comes with BLAST Slam IV, which will break out of the studio and hit Singapore as a LAN event for the first time, bringing the hype to a live audience.
BLAST is already a household name in Counter-Strike, beloved for its flawless production and visuals. Their transition into Dota 2 has carried over that same reputation.
PGL Wallachia
- Prize pool: $1 million per season
PGL is a long-standing and respected name in Valve esports, with a track record of hosting some of the most polished tournaments in both Dota 2 and Counter-Strike.
Their PGL Wallachia series is a newer staple in the Dota 2 calendar, running three times a year and offering a consistent $1 million prize pool for each edition.
All Wallachia events are held in the PGL Studios in Romania, giving a controlled environment for smooth broadcasts and minimal tech hiccups. Unfortunately, this means the event does not have a crowd in attendance, but the competitive consistency makes it a favorite for both players and online viewers.
FISSURE & BetBoom Dacha Tournaments
- Prize pool: $1 million per tournament
FISSURE is the organizer behind two of Dota 2’s more mid-scale tournaments – FISSURE Playground and BetBoom Dacha. Each event comes with a $1 million prize pool, which is impressive for its relatively compact scale.
These tournaments aren’t locked into a strict yearly calendar – they pop up when they want to – but when they do, they usually deliver a solid mix of competitive matches and casual entertainment.
The production value isn’t quite on the level of ESL or BLAST, but it’s still polished enough to make for a good watch. They’re the kind of events you can tune into when no Majors are around.
Beyond the Big Names
While The International’s prize pool may no longer dominate headlines like it once did, Dota 2 still has a healthy competitive ecosystem thanks to the growing list of third-party tournaments. Organizers like PGL have even committed to a multi-year plan to produce more events in the coming years.
With so many tournaments scattered across the competitive season, there’s a steady stream of prize money flowing into the scene throughout the year. Even if no single event reaches the dizzying heights of TI’s peak, the combined total from these tournaments still adds up to a large chunk of money. This system ensures that professional Dota 2 remains fiercely competitive and financially rewarding for the best players in the game.
