Bet on The International 2026
Esports fans in Ghana, are you ready for the ultimate Dota 2 showdown? The International is the premier global esports tournament, hosted annually by Valve (except 2020 due to the pandemic). It's where the world's best Dota 2 teams clash for glory and massive prize pools.
Held at the end of summer, The International has graced cities like Seattle, Cologne and Shanghai. Natus Vincere clinched the first title, pocketing $1,600,000! Sponsored by industry giants like Valve, ASUS, and Team Secret, this ten-day spectacle is a can't-miss event for any serious esports enthusiast. Get ready for intense action and world-class Dota 2!
Top casinos
guides
The Prize Pool of The International
The inaugural tournament in 2011 featured a prize pool of $1,600,000. This figure rose to $2,874,380 in 2013 and a massive $40,018,195 in 2021, signifying a growth of over 25 times the initial prize. Below is a summary of the prize pool across the years.
- 2011: $1.6 million
- 2012: $1.6 million
- 2013: $2.8 million
- 2014: $10.9 million
- 2015: $18.4 million
- 2016: $20.7 million
- 2017: $24.7 million
- 2018: $25.8 million
- 2019: $34.3 million
- 2021: $40.0 million
If you've been following the trends, you'll notice the prize pool has steadily climbed since 2012. This consistent growth suggests we can confidently expect this upward trend to continue. For Ghanaian bettors and esports fans, this means even bigger potential winnings in the future.
How Big is The International Tournament?
The International is widely recognised as one of the most significant esports tournaments globally. It attracts hundreds of thousands of players and is viewed by millions online.
With a prize pool that reached a staggering $45,000,000 in the 2022 edition, it's evident that The International is no small-time competition. This substantial amount is far from pocket change, and no minor tournament could offer such extraordinary winnings.
Further cementing its status as a major event, The International unites 18 teams from various corners of the globe. This tournament transcends single countries or continents, representing a truly global competition. In terms of viewership, it consistently draws millions of fans. For example, the 2021 edition saw a peak of 2.74 million concurrent viewers, a testament to its immense popularity among esports enthusiasts worldwide, including those in Ghana.
About Dota 2
Gameplay in Dota 2 is enhanced through the in-game shop, where players can purchase various items using virtual currency, and the items themselves, which allow for hero customization.
Originating as a mod for Warcraft 3, Dota 2 has maintained significant popularity since its release in 2013. It's a game that demands constant strategic thinking and reflexes. The primary objective is to destroy the opposing team's base while simultaneously defending your own.
Why is Dota 2 So Popular?
Dota 2 has a variety of features that make it enjoyable. Some of these include:
- It is easy to understand, even for those who are not very familiar with video games.
- It brings back memories of long ago at a time when video games had dragons and other creatures for players to fight against.
- Players can choose from various characters with different abilities that can be upgraded.
- The game is good in every aspect; gameplay, graphics, and animations are smooth. The heroes are handsome, and you can find new ones as soon as they come out (sometimes within days or hours following their debut). Therefore, there's always something new to play with.
Why is The International popular to bet on?
The International is undoubtedly one of the most exciting esport online tournaments in the world. It provides the opportunity for bettors to wager on their favorite team or player. But what really makes this tournament popular among punters?
1. The tournament brings together the best Dota 2 teams in the world. Each of these teams commands a massive following in terms of fans, most of which are also punters. A tournament in which the best teams compete will undoubtedly attract millions of bettors.
2. The International offers a wide range of betting markets for bettors to choose from. Some of these include:
- Team to win The International
- Player to win The International
- Winner of the group stage
- Winner of the playoffs
3. The International is also a very competitive tournament. Only the best teams in the world make it to the finals, which makes it more exciting for bettors.
4. Dota 2 Odds on The International tournament are available at all online esport betting sites, as long as the event is on. Hence, bettors don't struggle to find where to bet on this tournament.
The International's Winning teams and biggest moments
The International is one of those major esport tournaments that are very competitive; the race for the prize is stiffer than you can imagine. Since the first edition in 2011, only one team has managed to be crowned champions twice. Other winners have only been recognized once. Here are the winners and the most significant moments in the tournament's history.
Natus Vincere
This was the first team to test The International title. Its NaVi won the first edition in 2011. In this final, the team defeated EHOME 3-1 to lift the title. Featuring in this team were Puppey (Clement), a legendary Dota 2 player who has participated in the tournament more than any other individual.
Others included XBOCT, Artstyle, and Dendi. Taking home a staggering US$1 million from a $1.6 million grand prize is something the team will never forget; we won't let it go either.
And while the team has not won the title a second time, it has constantly been harassing its opponents, ensuring they have to run for their money. The fact that NaVi went all the way to the final the following year (2012) says it all.
Invictus Gaming
Wrestling the title from the first edition champions was not easy, and that perhaps highlights how strong this team was at the time. During this final, Invictus Gaming defeated Natus Vincere 3-1, taking home a grand prize of US$1 million.
Alliance
This was the tournament's best team in 2013. Like Invictus Gaming, Alliance was given a run for their money by none other than Natus Vincere, and they were the first European team to win the tournament. They defeated their opponents 3-1, and taking home a $1.4 million prize was spectacular. Players here included Akke, Loda, EGM, AdmiralBulldog, and s4. This third edition is what put The International on the global map in terms of popularity.
Newbee
With the tournament's popularity having soared the previous year, Newbee was seeking the crown against a backdrop of a highly publicized competition. And while the tournament was hosted in Washington, an away ground did not stand in the way of Newbee. In this edition (2014), the finalists were entirely new, with Newbee on the one hand and Vici Gaming on the other.
The former would beat the latter 3-1, taking a whopping US$5,025,029 and reasserting China's dominance in the competition.
Other winners
2015: Evil Geniuses
2016: Wings Gaming
2017: Team Liquid
2018: OG
2019: OG
Where and how to bet on The International?
The International is a global tournament, and thus, it is one of the best esports tournaments when it comes to betting. It doesn't matter where you're betting on esport tournaments from; you should be able to access the event as long as your country allows. To choose the best site for betting on The International or other eSport championships, here are a few things to look at:
- Odds offered by the site: The better the odds, the more you can win if you bet on the tournament.
- The site's reputation: Look at what their track record is and whether the site is licensed or not.
- Live betting: If you want to place your bets while watching the game live, this is a factor you will want to consider. Also, some sites allow you to place bets during halftime.
- Mobile compatibility: Some sites only work on a desktop or laptop, so you will want to consider this factor.
- Customer support: If you ever have any questions about the site or the betting process, the support team should be able to efficiently help.
How to bet on The International
The procedure for betting on The International is simple:
- Sign up with an esports site that offers odds on the tournament
- Log in and make a deposit
- Choose the match you want to bet on
- Choose your stake and complete the process
