Post
Dota 2's annual world championship, famous for having the largest prize pools in esports history.
The International, or TI, is Valve's flagship Dota 2 tournament and the crown jewel of competitive gaming prize pools. Funded largely through community Battle Pass purchases, TI's prize pools have shattered records year after year, peaking at over $40 million for TI10 in 2021. The tournament brings together the best teams from every region for a grueling multi-week competition. Its format, production quality, and do-or-die elimination bracket have produced some of the most dramatic moments in esports history.
Example
TI8 featured one of the greatest underdog runs ever when OG, a team formed just months before the tournament with two stand-in players, won the entire event. They then became the only team to win TI twice by defending their title at TI9, with ana's Spectre and Topson's unconventional mid picks becoming iconic.
Why it matters
TI proved that esports could generate prize pools rivaling traditional sports. Its crowd-funded model changed how the industry thinks about community investment, and it remains the tournament every Dota 2 pro dreams of winning above all else.
Related concepts