Introduction
The International Dota 2 Championships 2023, often referred to as TI 2023 or TI 12, represents the pinnacle of the current Dota Pro Circuit season and serves as the twelfth annual installment of this prestigious event. Set to take place in Seattle, Washington, USA, it promises to be a monumental gathering of the world’s finest Dota 2 teams, all vying for the esteemed title of International Champion and a substantial prize pool.
This year’s International distinguishes itself with a unique format. It comprises two distinct phases: “The Road to The International,” encompassing the group stage and playoffs up to the top 8 teams, and “The International” itself, where the remaining top 8 teams will battle it out for supremacy.
The International 2023 unites 20 of the globe’s top Dota 2 teams, marking the culmination of a demanding Dota Pro Circuit season characterized by three major events. Notably, this event returns to Seattle, near Valve’s headquarters, marking the first time The International has graced North America since 2018. It’s a homecoming to a city that hosted this prestigious competition continuously from 2012 to 2017.
In the previous edition, held in Singapore, Tundra Esports emerged as the world champion, triumphing over Team Secret in the grand final. With a total prize pool of $18,930,775, Tundra secured over $8.5 million in winnings, showcasing the immense stakes and rewards that await the victors in the grand spectacle that is The International Dota 2 Championships.
Format
The Format for The International Dota 2 Championships 2023 introduces an exciting and revamped structure that promises intense competition and drama. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the tournament format:
Participants:
- Twelve teams secure their spots through the Dota Pro Circuit.
- Eight teams qualify via Regional Qualifiers, with one team each from North America, Eastern Europe, China, and Southeast Asia, and two teams each from Western Europe and South America.
Group Stage
Scheduled from October 12th to October 15th, 2023:
Phase One:
- Separated into four groups, each comprising five teams.
- Teams engage in a single round-robin format with all series played as Best-of-2.
- The top two teams from each group will proceed to Phase Two, where they’ll face opponents from the opposite group.
Phase Two:
- Sixteen teams remain, competing in eight head-to-head Best-of-3 matches to determine their placements in the main event bracket.
Main Event
Scheduled for October 20th to October 22nd (Playoffs Weekend) and October 27th to October 29th (Finals Weekend) in the year 2023:
- Sixteen teams partake in a double-elimination bracket.
- Eight teams kick off in the Upper Bracket, while the remaining eight commence their journey in the Lower Bracket.
- The Grand Final is set as a Best-of-5, while all other series maintain a Best of-3 format.
In addition to this intricate structure, TI 12 introduces a new feature known as the “Last Chance Qualifier.” This stage includes the two runner-ups from each regional qualifier. The victor of the Last Chance Qualifier earns a coveted slot in the Group Stage, further elevating the level of competition.
The Group Stage comprises the 12 direct invites and the Last Chance Qualifier winner, forming two groups of six teams. Each squad engages in Best-of-2 matches against all other teams within their group. The top four from each group secure their passage to the Main Stage.
Finally, the Main Stage is the culmination of the tournament, showcasing the eight teams that advanced from the Group Stage. These teams compete within a double elimination bracket, with the winner of the lower bracket confronting the loser of the upper bracket in the Grand Finals. The team triumphing in the Grand Finals will be celebrated as the International Champion, making for an unforgettable conclusion to TI 12.
Teams
A total of 18 teams will compete in TI12. The teams are:
- Direct invites: OG, Tundra Esports, Team Spirit, PSG.LGD, Evil Geniuses, TSM, beastcoast, Gaimin Gladiators, BOOM Esports, Hokori, Fnatic
- Regional qualifiers: TBD
Favorites
Some of the favorites to win TI 12 include OG, Tundra E-sports, Team Spirit, and PSG.LGD. These teams are all considered to be among the best in the world, and they have all had successful seasons in their respective regional leagues.
Other notable teams
Other notable teams that will be competing in TI 12 include:
- Team Liquid
- Cloud9
- Secret
- Nigma Galaxy
- Aster
- Team Secret
- Virtus.pro
- Alliance
Schedule
TI12 will be held from October 12 to 29, 2023, at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, USA.
Conclusion
Only time will tell us if one of the favorites will manage to take the tournament, and it’s substantial prize, or if an upset will come from the regional qualifiers to shock the e-sports world and beat out one of the proven teams. No matter the outcome, The International is sure to be a don’t miss event for e-sports fans. If you need live odds, you are in the right place.
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