The Making of the Most Watched Dota 2 Match in History

For 2.7 million people to tune in to a Dota 2 match, several factors had to align perfectly. While Dota 2 continues to be incredibly popular, the most-watched match stands out for several unique reasons. Let's explore why over two and a half million viewers tuned in to the finals of The International 10 (TI10) between Team Spirit and PSG.LGD. Before we dive in, let’s clarify: the viewership number excludes Chinese viewers, as access to that data is restricted, which is a common issue for all esports events.

10th TI Anniversary

It was the 10th anniversary of The International, Dota 2's biggest esports tournament, known for its record-breaking prize pools. TI not only revolutionized esports with its crowdfunded model but also changed the lives of many professional players. The hype surrounding TI10 was fueled by an in-game compendium and a huge Dota 2 player base. At that time, players were still heavily invested in the game, and many were drawn in by the promise of major rewards from the compendium.

Team Spirit vs PSG.LGD

PSG.LGD is a Dota 2 powerhouse, and Team Spirit, at the time, was the underdog. Their journey to the finals was nothing short of miraculous, starting with a loss to Invictus Gaming in the upper bracket, which forced them into a series of six elimination matches, including the grand final. As Team Spirit kept winning, their Cinderella story gained more traction, and the hype built with each match. In contrast, PSG.LGD dominated the upper bracket, winning convincingly without dropping a single game against top teams like Virtus.pro and Team Secret. This matchup had it all: David vs. Goliath, East vs. West. In esports, each region passionately supports its own teams—Europe, North America, China, etc. As the finals approached, the West rallied behind Spirit, while the East cheered for PSG.LGD. The stage was set for a fairytale final.

The Epic Finals

The grand final lived up to the hype. The series went all five games. Team Spirit took the first two, but PSG.LGD fought back, winning the third and fourth. The final game was a tense 37-minute battle, with Team Spirit ultimately securing the victory and taking home the largest chunk of the $40 million prize pool.

40 Million Dollars Prize Pool

The prize pool for TI10 was the largest ever, reaching a record-breaking $40 million, with the winning team taking home $18 million. In comparison, the prize pool for TI13 was under $2.5 million for the entire tournament. The massive prize pool only added to the drama, with millions watching to see who would claim the coveted first place.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Due to the pandemic, TI10 was postponed from Stockholm to Bucharest in 2021, making the event even more special. The delay only added to the anticipation, with fans at home eager to watch the match and buy the compendium, which had been available longer than usual. Interestingly, the most-watched Dota 2 match was played without a live audience, which was a major shift from traditional esports events.

Will the Record Be Broken?

With all these factors aligning perfectly, it’s hard to imagine any match surpassing the viewership of TI10. The combination of the anniversary hype, underdog story, record-breaking prize pool, and pandemic-driven engagement made it a perfect storm. Do you think this record will ever be broken?