
Tickets for The International 2025, the biggest event for Dota 2, have just gone live.
The International, more famously known as TI, is the highlight of every Dota 2 fan’s year. Considered by many to be among the most prestigious esports tournaments in the world, The International brings the best of Dota 2’s competitors to the world stage. The event has certainly seen a lot of ups and downs through the years.
From prize pools to massive team changes, the Dota 2 esports community had quite the rollercoaster. In 2025, Valve returns to the place where it all began, Germany. Specifically, The International 2025 will take place at the Barclays Arena in Hamburg, and they can get tickets very soon.
Fans may purchase tickets for the International 2025 on April 1, 2025, on the Barclays Arena website. The prices are currently not listed on the ticket site, but fans can get notified via email about details. There are standard and premium tickets. Both tiers have access to free public transport to the arena, a travel plan, and free WiFi at the site.
The theme for 2025 is related to the cosmos, particularly stars. Many fans speculate this could be a teaser for the more space-themed heroes such as Enigma. Others also praised the return to Germany, stating the location was among their favorites for watching Dota 2 esports.
In 2023, Valve made the controversial decision to remove the Battle Pass for The International 2023. This move significantly drained the prize pool for TI12, less than $5 million. In contrast, TI10 had a prize pool of over $40 million. The sharp fall left viewers and pro players alike worried about the future.
The International 2024 also received many criticisms. Some live audiences reported disappointment at not seeing much of the talent outside the arena. Others also pointed out how the seating made watching the game itself difficult.
These issues are amplified by the high ticket prices for The International 2024. With scalpers and Ticketmaster prices to contend with, some felt like they were being gatekept financially from live events. In addition, The International 2024 is reportedly among the least-viewed TI in history, peaking at 1.5 million viewers.
The International 2025 will take place in September 2025. While some await the final ticket prices before getting excited, others already feel the hype.
For longtime fans, a return to Germany will feel nostalgic, especially given how long ago the TI’s debut was. The International Dota 2 Championships was first held in 2011, in Cologne, Germany. At the time, Valve wanted to use the esports tournament as a worldwide introduction for Dota 2. With 16 teams and a then-impressive $1.6 million prize pool, the event paved the way for modern esports.
As Valve settles on its new visions for Dota 2 esports, The International 2025 could mark a milestone year for the game. Whether that milestone is positive or negative remains to be seen.
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