The International 2023: Dota 2 – Unveiling Results, Schedule, Live Streams, Prizes, and More
The International 2023: Dota 2’s Grand Battle for the Aegis of Champions
The battle for the Aegis of Champions is set to make its triumphant return at The International 2023, offering Dota 2 fans around the world a chance to witness the pinnacle of competitive gaming. This annual tournament is the culmination of a grueling Dota Pro Circuit season, featuring three tours, each leading to a prestigious Major event.
The Twelfth Edition in Seattle
The twelfth edition of The International will be held in Seattle, Washington, in proximity to Valve’s headquarters. This marks the first time the event has returned to North America since 2018, rekindling the spirits of Dota 2 enthusiasts in Seattle, who had previously hosted every edition between 2012 and 2017.
In the previous year’s event held in Singapore, Tundra Esports claimed the coveted title of world champion by defeating Team Secret in a thrilling grand final showdown. Tundra Esports’ remarkable victory earned them a substantial prize pool share of over $8.5 million, which amounted to nearly half of the event’s grand prize pool, totaling $18,930,775.
All You Need to Know About The International 2023
For those eager to follow The International 2023, here’s a quick overview of what to expect:
- Dates, Format, and Venues
- Schedule and Results
- Prize Pool and Standings
- Teams and Rosters
Valve has been proactive in providing multiple streaming options for fans, with the tournament set to be broadcast on popular platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and SteamTV, ensuring accessibility and convenience for viewers.
The Venue and Schedule
The twelfth iteration of The International will grace the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. This versatile indoor arena, established in 1962 for the World Fair, has a seating capacity of 18,300 for basketball games and 17,151 for hockey matches.
The event is scheduled to commence on October 12, with the group stage, setting the stage for an exhilarating tournament. Valve’s roadmap for the event encompasses the Group Stage, Playoffs, and the highly anticipated Finals Weekend, which is slated for October 27-29.
Group Stage and Playoffs
The group stage will unfold from October 12 to 15, featuring a two-phase approach:
- Phase 1: Twenty teams will be divided into five groups, competing in best-of-two matches, with the lowest-performing team from each group facing elimination.
- Phase 2: Sixteen teams will engage in head-to-head matches to determine their playoff seeding. The top two teams from each group will be paired with either the third or fourth-placed team from the opposite groups (Groups A/B and C/D).
The Playoffs, scheduled from October 20 to 29, will witness sixteen teams in a double-elimination bracket, with eight teams commencing in the upper bracket and eight in the lower bracket. All matches, except the grand final, will be played as best-of-three, while the grand final itself will be a best-of-five showdown.
The International 2023: Prize Pool Dilemma
In a surprising shift, Valve opted to deviate from the traditional Battle Pass system, which had historically funded the impressive prize pools of previous TI events. Instead, Valve aims to focus on introducing “a variety of exciting updates” rather than relying on cosmetic content. The transition didn’t sit well with the Dota 2 community, leading to a slowdown in prize pool growth.
As of October 24, the prize pool for The International 2023 stands at $3,094,164. However, the slow growth suggests that TI12 might feature the lowest prize pool since 2015, as the community appears disinterested in purchasing the Compendium.
Valve has set a deadline of November 17, 2023, for Compendium sales, with 25% of the proceeds contributing to TI 12’s prize pool. The ultimate prize pool for this year’s International remains uncertain and will largely depend on the community’s response to the ongoing Compendium sale.
The International 2023: Teams and Rosters
A total of twelve teams have received direct invitations to TI12 based on their Dota Pro Circuit rankings, while the remaining eight teams will qualify through regional qualifiers held worldwide. The inclusion of several renowned teams, both through direct invitations and qualifiers, promises to make The International 2023 a fiercely contested battle of skill and strategy.
Invited Teams:
Team | DPC Points | Players |
Team Liquid | 2150 | miCKe, Nisha, zai, Boxi, Insania |
Gaimin Gladiators | 2140 | dyrachyo, Quinn, Ace, tOfu, Seleri |
Tundra Esports | 1660 | skiter, Topson, 33, Nine, Sneyking |
9Pandas | 1496 | RAMZES666, kiyotaka, MieRo`, Antares, Solo |
Evil Geniuses | 1470 | Pakazs, Chris Luck, Wisper, Matthew, Panda |
LGD Gaming | 1284 | shiro, NothingToSay, niu, planet, y` |
Shopify Rebellion | 1170 | Arteezy, Abed, SabeRLight-, Cr1t-, Fly |
Talon Esports | 1120 | 23savage, Mikoto, Jabz, Q, Oli~ |
beastcoast | 1040 | Parker, DarkMago, Sacred, Scofield, Stinger |
Team Spirit | 1020 | Yatoro, Larl, Collapse, Mira, Miposhka |
TSM | 900 | Timado, Bryle, kasane, Ari, Whitemon |
BetBoom | 760 | Nightfall, gpk~, Pure~, Save-, TORONTOTOKYO |
Qualified Teams:
Team | Region | Players |
Nouns | North America | K1, Gunnar, Moo, Lelis, Yamsun |
Keyd Stars | South America | Costabile, 4nalog, fcr, Kingrd, KJ |
Thunder Awaken | South America | Knight~, SLATEM$, ILICH-, n1ght, Mjz |
Virtus.pro | Eastern Europe | Kiritych~, squad1x, Noticed, sayuw, Fng |
Entity | Western Europe | watson, Stormstormer, Gabbi, Kataomi`, Fishman |
PSG Quest | Western Europe | TA2000, No!ob, Tobi, OmaR, kaori |
Azure Ray | China | Lou, Somnus, chalice, fy, 天命 |
Team SMG | Southeast Asia | MidOne, No[o]ne-, Masaros, ah fu, Jaunuel |
As the countdown to the most awaited Dota 2 event of the year continues, fans worldwide eagerly anticipate the electrifying matches and the ultimate crowning of the next Aegis of Champions.