How Many Days Until The International?
The International 2025 (TI25) starts around Friday, October 10, 2025.
About The International (Dota 2)
The International (TI) is the annual world championship tournament for the video game Dota 2, hosted and produced by the game's developer, Valve. Established in 2011, TI is renowned for having the largest single-tournament prize pool in all of esports, primarily funded through community contributions via the Compendium/Battle Pass system. Winning TI and claiming the Aegis of Champions is considered the highest achievement in professional Dota 2.
The Richest Prize in Esports
The Aegis of Champions
The iconic trophy awarded to the winning team, symbolizing their status as the best Dota 2 team in the world for that year.
Crowdfunded Prize Pool
Historically featured enormous prize pools, often exceeding $30-40 million USD, funded by players purchasing in-game content (though recent models have changed).
Global Elite Competition
Features top teams qualifying through the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) season (historically) or regional qualifiers, representing various regions worldwide.
Major Arena Event
The final stages are typically held in large arenas with thousands of passionate fans, creating an electric atmosphere.
A Decade of Dominance and Drama
The first International was held at Gamescom 2011 as a promotional event for Dota 2, with a then-groundbreaking $1.6 million prize pool. Since then, it has become the defining tournament in the Dota 2 scene. The event has seen legendary teams and players rise and fall, with notable champions including Natus Vincere (Na'Vi), Alliance, Newbee, Evil Geniuses (EG), Wings Gaming, Team Liquid, OG (the only back-to-back winners), Team Spirit, and Tundra Esports. The location rotates internationally, though several editions have been held in Seattle and, more recently, locations like China, Romania, Singapore, and Denmark.
Tournament Format (Typical Structure)
The format of The International often undergoes adjustments, but generally follows this pattern:
- Regional Qualifiers: Teams that didn't earn a direct invite compete within their regions for the remaining slots.
- Group Stage: Teams are divided into groups and play round-robin matches to determine seeding for the Main Event. Lower-performing teams may be eliminated here.
- Main Event: A double-elimination bracket featuring best-of-three matches (except for the first round of the lower bracket, often best-of-one, and the Grand Finals).
- Grand Finals: The winners of the Upper Bracket and Lower Bracket finals face off in an epic best-of-five series for the Aegis of Champions.
The tournament usually takes place over approximately two weeks, typically concluding in October.