The International Locations – Full List of Dota 2 History

Everyone knows that in Dota 2, no tournament comes close to The International. Every year, millions of fans gather to watch the best teams in the world compete for the Aegis of Champions, as well as life-changing money as the icing on the cake. 

However, TI isn’t only about the games and matches – the host location plays a crucial role, too. Let’s check out all cities that have hosted Dota 2’s biggest event. 

Cologne, Germany (2011) – Where It All Began

The very first iteration of The International was held at Gamescom 2011 in Cologne, Germany. Valve put up a then-unheard-of $1.6 million prize pool, shocking the esports world. In an era where top players competed at LAN cafes for hundreds of dollars or new gaming gear, many professionals thought this prize pot was too good to be true, and skipped it thinking it was a scam.

Na’Vi ended up lifting the first Aegis, and Cologne set the tone for what would become the most prestigious annual esports tournament.

Seattle, USA (2012 – 2017) – The Home of TI

For the next six years, Seattle became synonymous with Dota’s most prestigious event. TI2 and TI3 started out in the Benaroya Hall, but Valve relocated TI4 through TI7 to the KeyArena, which has been an iconic stadium for Dota 2 fans. 

These were the golden years of Dota 2. The stadiums were always sold out, and fans from around the world gathered to celebrate their favorite game. To this day, many still consider Seattle the true home of TI. 

Vancouver, Canada (2018) – A Change of Scenery

TI8 marked the first major shift. Valve moved the event from the comfort of Seattle to its neighboring country – Vancouver, Canada. The Rogers Arena became the new battleground, and though many had initial doubts about leaving Seattle, the event turned out to be a massive success. OG’s miraculous run to their first Aegis happened here. 

Shanghai, China (2019) – TI Goes to Asia

TI9 broke new ground, as the event was headed to the East. The first International in the Asian region was held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China. Being one of the largest fanbases in the world, the Chinese crowd provided a welcoming and massive stage for the players. 

Unfortunately, there was no Chinese team in the grand finals, but the scale and energy of the Chinese squad still cemented TI9 as a landmark moment in esports with one of the best TI grand finals in history. China was also the location where we crowned the first two-time TI winners, with OG claiming back-to-back wins to cement themselves in the game’s history. 

Bucharest, Romania (2021) – The Pandemic Era

TI10 was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19. Valve decided to bring it back in 2021 with TI taking place in Bucharest. The pandemic didn’t improve, and for the first time ever, The International was played without a live audience, even though the stadium was still rented out.

However, delaying the event for a year meant fans had two years to crowdfund the prize pool. The result was a staggering $40 million pot, which remains the largest in esports history. Team Spirit pulled off an insane underdog run to win $18 million, making it one of the most unforgettable editions yet. 

Singapore (2022) – Southeast Asia Gets a Taste

TI11 brought the Aegis to Singapore, making it the first International held in Southeast Asia – a region with millions of dedicated fans. It was clear the crowd’s energy stood out in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, proving that the region has always been a hotbed of Dota 2 passion. 

Seattle Returns (2023) – Back to Familiar Ground

In 2023, The International came full circle with a return to Seattle. TI12 brought fans home, providing utmost comfort. Once again, Seattle succeeded in hosting another iteration of The International, where fans saw Spirit becoming two-time TI winners. 

Copenhagen, Denmark (2024) – Way Back to Europe

TI13 shifted back to Europe, this time in Copenhagen, Denmark. The country is known for being a hub of esports, especially with its success in rival games like Counter-Strike. However, that passion can also be seen in Dota 2 as well, with big names such as N0tail – the most successful esports player in the world – and other players like Cr1t- hailing from Denmark as well. 

Hamburg, Germany (2025) – A Symbolic Return to the Beginning 

Fittingly, the upcoming The International 14 event will bring Dota 2’s biggest event back to where it all started. This time, it will take place in Hamburg, Germany instead of Cologne, giving another city a shot. Today, Europe remains the strongest region in Dota 2, making Hamburg the perfect stage to crown a new champion.