One of the world’s biggest esports competitions, Dota 2’s The International, may not be taking place in Stockholm this year as originally planned. The search for a new venue intensified after the Swedish Sports Federation decided not to accept esports into the federation. As a result, anyone trying to secure a visa to travel to Sweden for the championship would be denied.
The Federation’s decision comes despite previous assurances to Valve from Stockholm Live and Visit Stockholm that TI10 could qualify for the same exemptions bestowed on other elite sporting events.
Valve even tried to get The International Dota 2 Championship reclassified as an elite sporting event with Sweden’s interior minister but was denied.
The $40 million prize pool for TI10 2021 marks a 1392% increase from the first event held in 2013.
The International Dota 2 competition exploded in size in recent years. The first event held in 2013 had a prize pool of just $2,874,380. The 2021 event saw a 10% increase in the prize money compared to the competition in 2019.
Valve said in a statement that they “remain committed to hosting The International this year in a way that is both safe for all involved, and properly celebrates the players and fans of Dota 2.”
“We will be communicating what we find out as soon as we are able. In the meantime, TI qualifiers will still be happening on the originally scheduled dates starting June 23. And later this week, the all-new summer event Nemestice will arrive,” the statement adds.
Dota 2 is also one of the most popular esports components on professional online betting venues. In addition, we look forward to seeing what the new summer event Nemestice brings for Dota 2.
