The International 2024 (TI13) Prize Pool Overview

If you are familiar with esports and Dota 2, you have undoubtedly heard of The International. This is the highest-level competition in the Dota 2 discipline and one of the most significant events in esports. The International (TI) gathers millions of viewers each year and offers the largest prize pools in the history of competitive gaming. As The International 2024 approaches, more information about the tournament and its unique features is coming to light. In this article, we will tell you about the international 2024 prize pool, its formation, distribution, comparisons with previous TI`s, and expert opinions.

The International 2024 Prize Pool

Let’s start by explaining what The International 2024 is, its history, and why it’s so popular. The International is the first major tournament in the Dota 2 discipline and the largest annual esports tournament, organized by Valve. It was first held in Cologne at the Gamescom exhibition in 2011. The event attracts fans with its exciting matches, top teams, grand scale, and, of course, its prize pool.

From the first TI to TI 2024, the prize pool and the competition itself have shown certain trends. In 2011, the prize pool was $1.6 million, which was considered an astronomical sum at the time, and the winners were Team NAVI. With each passing year, the prize pool grew alongside the rising popularity of Dota 2, reaching over $40 million in 2021, setting a record in esports that still stands, with Team Spirit claiming the victory. However, the prize pool started to decline in the following tournaments, dropping to $18 million in 2022 and just $3 million in 2023.

This decline is mainly due to the fact that most of the funds come from the Battle Pass, released before the tournament, which Valve has made less engaging and less rewarding, leading to fewer purchases by fans and a smaller prize pool.

As for The International 2024 prize pool, everyone is hoping for a reversal of this trend, with a larger prize pool than last year so that teams receive the rewards they deserve. This year, the pool will once again start with an initial contribution from Valve, but it will also have some unique features in its formation.

How the TI13 Prize Pool is Formed

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the TI prize pool starts with an initial contribution from Valve, with the majority of the funding coming from the Dota 2 community through the Battle Pass. The Battle Pass is a monetization model that provides additional game content through a tier system, rewarding players with in-game items for playing and completing certain challenges. It was first introduced in Dota 2 in 2013, which marked the beginning of the prize pool's growth.

In 2024, as usual, Valve’s initial contribution stands at $1.6 million, which is a solid sum on its own but still relatively small for a tournament of this scale. This is where the Battle Pass comes into play: 25% of the revenue from every purchased Battle Pass goes directly to The International prize pool. This model not only engages the community but also allows every player to feel like a part of this grand event.

Additionally, support clubs for each team are available, allowing fans to purchase exclusive bonuses while supporting their favorite teams. But what about the content of this year’s Compendium? To the disappointment of players, it is quite lackluster; it doesn’t include any skins or Arcanas, only loading screens, voice lines, and similar items. Fans are highly dissatisfied, as they expected something more substantial, and this will significantly impact the prize pool, which currently stands at about $2.5 million. Although this amount is growing, it is unlikely to exceed $10 million.

The International 2024 Prize Pool Distribution

The distribution of the prize pool is another crucial aspect that sets the stakes for the teams competing at TI13. Traditionally, a significant portion of the prize money is awarded to the winning team, often exceeding 40% of the total pool, while the remainder is distributed among the other participating teams based on their final standings. This distribution ensures that even lower-placing teams receive a substantial reward for their efforts, while the champions take home a significant prize. Although the groups and team placements for The International 2024 are already known, the distribution of the TI13 prize pool has not yet been revealed, but it is expected to be similar to previous tournaments. As TI progresses, the exact distribution percentages will be updated to reflect the current community contributions.

Previous TI Prize Pools

It is quite interesting to observe the development of the tournaments and the prize pool, as well as to know what it was like in previous competitions. Let’s start with the originator, The International 1, held in 2011, which had a massive impact on Dota 2 and the entire esports scene, as such tournaments had never been seen before. Its prize pool was $1.6 million, a staggering amount at the time. The winners of the first TI were NAVI, who defeated EHOME in the finals in tough matches and claimed the Aegis of Champions, forever engraving their name in history.

The following The International was equally exciting, featuring many dynamic matches, and the prize pool again stood at $1.6 million. Invictus Gaming emerged victorious, defeating NAVI in the finals.

Starting from The International 2013 and continuing until The International 2021, the prize pool began to grow rapidly due to the increasing popularity of Dota 2. Here is a list of the prize pools for each TI and the winning teams:

• The International 2011: $1,600,000 - Natus Vincere
• The International 2012: $1,600,000 - Invictus Gaming
• The International 2013: $2,874,380 - The Alliance
• The International 2014: $10,923,977 - NewBee
• The International 2015: $18,429,613 - Evil Geniuses
• The International 2016: $20,770,460 - Wings Gaming
• The International 2017: $24,787,916 - Team Liquid
• The International 2018: $25,532,177 - OG
• The International 2019: $34,302,501 - OG
• The International 2021: $40,018,195 - Team Spirit
• The International 2022: $18,930,775 - Tundra Esports
• The International 2023: $3,092,575 - Team Spirit

The trend of growth reflects the increasing support from the community and the rise of Dota 2 as a leading game in esports. Comparing The International 2024 prize pool with previous years, it is clear that TI13 is poised to restore the trend of large prize pools.

The Opinion of Pro Players About TI 2024 Prize Pool

TI 2024 has captured the attention of the entire gaming community, and fans are eager to hear opinions about the tournament itself and this year's event from experts and professional players. Here’s what some well-known professional players have to say:

“TI will still be an amazing event regardless of the prize pool. TI is magical, it's a very special time of the year, I like everyone who works on this event, I like watching this event, and I like going to this event so, for me, the prize pool won't change how I feel about TI. There is a special atmosphere at TI compared to all other tournaments and it's a very nice event to be a part of.”~ Ludwig "zai" Wåhlberg

“To me personally, the trophy is what matters the most. A second Aegis would be pretty good for me and for us all. That's what we are after, that's what we want. We don't care about the prize pool, all that matters is a second Aegis.”~ Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov

Other professional players from teams like Team Spirit, Team Liquid, Cloud9, Heroic, and other participants have also shared their views on this year’s competition. While each has a different perspective, they all agree that the main focus is not the prize pool, but winning and claiming the Aegis of Champions. You can read these opinions on the official Twitter pages and other social media.

Conclusion

Bringing all the facts together, it can be said that The International is not just a competition, and the prize pool of 2024 is more than just a number; it symbolizes the passion, dedication, and support of the Dota 2 community. Thanks to a unique funding model that directly involves the fans, TI13 continues the tradition of setting a high bar for esports tournaments worldwide. While we await the final prize pool, one thing is clear: The International 2024 will once again showcase the thrilling and unpredictable nature of competitive Dota 2, fueled by one of the most lucrative prize pools in the industry. If you are a fan of eSports and Dota 2, we recommend you to read our similar articles such as The International 2024 (TI 13) Official Streams & Casters and The International 2024. General Information - Dates, Format, Prizepool.