Why The International is Esports’ Most Prestigious Tournament

For more than a decade, The International (TI) has positioned itself as the crown jewel of competitive gaming. It’s not just the Dota 2 world championship – it’s the tournament that defined what esports could be. 

Throughout the iterations, you’ll find historic prize pools, unforgettable moments, and unbelievable stories – TI has always been bigger than just another event on the Dota 2 calendar. 

Even though the prize money has shrunk in recent years, TI remains the most prestigious tournament in all of esports, and here’s why.

How The International Started

In 2011, Valve made groundbreaking news, revealing Dota 2 to the world with a bold move: launching it at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, alongside the very first International. The prize pool was an unheard-of $1.6 million. In an era where most professionals compete for hundreds of dollars or gaming gear, this immediately made TI the largest tournament in esports history at the time. 

Many top players thought the event was too good to be true and skipped it, thinking it was a scam. However, Natus Vincere, led by legendary figures Dendi and Puppey, came out on top – and in that moment, everyone knew it was real, and esports had a new benchmark.

Prize Pools and Their Legacy

If TI1 broke ground on competitive Dota, it was TI3 that launched it into the stratosphere. In 2013, Valve introduced the Compendium, which served as a digital booklet and cosmetic bundle that fans could purchase through the in-game client. 

A portion of the sales (25%) was allocated directly to the prize pool of The International, effectively establishing the concept of crowdfunding for an esports tournament. Fans weren’t just spectators – they became contributors. The prize pool of TI3 rose to the $3 million mark, but it took off in the following year.

TI4 hit $11 million, TI6 crossed $20 million, and TI10 saw a record-breaking $40 million, the largest prize pool in esports history to date. 

But the money itself was only one part of the story. What made TI truly special was the ownership fans had. Die-hard supporters felt like they weren’t just watching history unfold; they were also part of building it. We wouldn’t have such prize pools had fans not pitched in, and every purchase pushed the stakes higher and higher.

Unfortunately, Valve abolished the crowdfunding model in recent years, leading to a significant decline in prize pool performances. But the legacy of TI remains untouched. It will always be remembered as the event that made competitive gaming headline international news. 

High Stakes Create Unforgettable Moments

With big money comes big stakes. What truly makes TI immortal are the stories written on its very stage. When life-changing money is on the line, the pressure builds up, and players make game-winning plays or get crafty with unconventional strategies:

• The Million-Dollar Dream Coil at TI3, where Alliance’s Rat Dota strategy helped them outlast Na’Vi in one of the most legendary finals ever. 
• The $6 Million Echo Slam, where Evil Geniuses’ UNiVeRsE turned a single spell into one of the greatest esports moments in history.
• Ceb’s Call at TI8, where OG’s coach-turned-player delivered a miraculous play, helping OG complete the “Cinderella Run” of esports.
• Team Spirit’s underdog run at TI10, fighting from regional qualifiers to slay the best team in the world in the finals and lift the largest prize pool in esports. 

TI doesn’t just produce matches for viewers to watch – it produces legends of the game. These moments, although some occurred a decade ago, are still referenced today as historical events. 

Rivalries and Storylines

Though TI matches are already as hype as they come, rivalries and storylines amplify everything. Each year, new competitors and drama arise, and that’s what makes the event so unforgettable. 

Na’Vi’s three straight finals in the early years set the stage for epic rivalries in years to come, capped by the Million-Dollar Dream Coil in the match against Alliance.

Then came the personal clash of Fly and N0tail. These two had formed a brotherly bond, having played on the same team for their entire careers until Fly abandoned N0tail before TI8. Fate had N0tail’s squad eliminate him, and then go on to win the whole event.

OG didn’t stop there, either. They were the first team in history to win two iterations of The International, even doing it back-to-back with their wins at TI8 and TI9, thereby cementing themselves as absolute legends within the game. 

At TI10, Team Spirit pulled off the greatest underdog run in all of esports, clawing their way from regional qualifiers, battling through the lower bracket, and taking down the toughest opponent to secure the largest pot in gaming history. 

From forming dynasties to betrayals, The International is as much about storylines as it is about gameplay. 

The Global Stage

Over the years, TI has become a global spectacle, acting as a travelling festival of esports. 

• Seattle hosted it for seven years straight, where the KeyArena became synonymous with Dota 2.
• In TI8, the tournament moved to Vancouver.
• TI9 was the first time TI set foot in Asia, where Shanghai staged the event. 
• At TI10, Bucharest hosted the event, though there was no crowd due to the pandemic.
• Singapore brought TI11 to Southeast Asia.
• Valve returned to its roots with TI12 relocating to Seattle.
• TI13 took place in Copenhagen, Denmark.
• And TI14 will head to Hamburg, Germany. 

Every edition feels monumental, giving fans from around the world a chance to watch the event in person. Valve spares no expense, bringing orchestras, cinematic player introductions, and themed stage designs. It truly is a dream for any Dota 2 fan to attend at least one TI in their lifetime. 

What It Means to Lift the Aegis

On top of the millions in prize money, winning The International will reward players with the Aegis of Champions – a trophy inscribed with the names of every team that has won.

For Dota 2 players, it isn’t just a trophy – it’s the ultimate validation of a career. Money comes and goes, but having your name carved into the Aegis lasts forever. 

Winning an iteration is the end goal for any professional player – it’s the chance to write your name in the game’s history. Being a TI winner cements a player’s status at the very peak of Dota 2.

A Celebration for the Community

For Dota 2 fans, The International serves as the annual celebration of everything the game has to offer. Once a year, the entire community comes together to watch another round of the best players clashing for an Aegis. 

Even players who’ve long since stopped playing still clear their schedules to watch, because TI always carries that kind of magic that pulls everyone back in, even if it’s only for a week or two. Fans often admit that they plan their annual leave around the event just to catch every game undisturbed. 

With cosplay competitions included in the mix, The International is more than esports – it’s a tradition, a festival, and a reminder of why people fell in love with the game in the first place. 

Why TI Still Matters – It’s Not About the Money

It’s true that the glory days of $40 million prize pools are past us. However, prestige isn’t defined by dollar signs – it’s about legacy, storylines, and culture – and that’s exactly what The International delivers every year. 

Though the prize pool has seen significant dips, it’s undeniable that TI changed esports forever. The tournament has given us stories, the biggest stages, and some of the most iconic moments in competitive gaming. 

That’s why TI is still the most prestigious tournament in esports, not because of the millions handed out, but because it’s where legends are forged, and when the Dota 2 community can come together.