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The Stage is Set, But Can the Prize Pool Soar Again?

Valve has officially announced the starting prize pool for The International 2025, confirming it will begin at $1.6 million. This announcement comes as part of the latest Dota 2 update, which introduced a dedicated in-game tab to build hype for the biggest event in the game's competitive calendar. The base amount continues a tradition dating back to the tournament's inception in 2011, when Valve first stunned the esports world with a $1.6 million prize pool—then the largest in gaming history.

A Legacy of Massive Prize Pools

Over the years, The International has become synonymous with jaw-dropping prize money, often driven by community contributions through in-game purchases. The tournament's prize pool famously exploded in 2013 when Valve introduced the Compendium, an interactive digital item that allowed fans to contribute directly. This model was enhanced further with the Battle Pass, a seasonal content bundle tied to in-game progression and TI-related rewards.

Here’s a complete look at how The International prize pools have evolved:

TI1 (2011) – $1,600,000
TI2 (2012) – $1,600,000
TI3 (2013) – $2,874,381 (Compendium introduced)
TI4 (2014) – $10,931,103
TI5 (2015) – $18,429,613
TI6 (2016) – $20,770,460
TI7 (2017) – $24,787,916
TI8 (2018) – $25,532,177
TI9 (2019) – $34,330,068 (record-high prize pool)
TI10 (2021) – $40,018,195 (carried over from 2020 due to COVID-19)
TI11 (2022) – $18,930,775 (no Battle Pass stretch goals)
TI12 (2023) – $3,205,420 (Compendium replaces Battle Pass)
TI13 (2024) – $2,727,345 (Compendium continues, no Battle Pass)

From these figures, it’s clear that the presence (or absence) of systems like the Battle Pass has a major impact on the final total. Without it, recent Internationals have struggled to maintain the same level of crowd-sourced growth seen in past years.

Dota 2 The International Prize Pools

Will the Prize Pool Rise Again?

While the confirmed $1.6 million is only the base prize, fans and analysts alike are speculating on what Valve’s strategy will be this year. The 2024 Compendium, though nostalgic, fell short of expectations in terms of content and funding potential. Now, persistent rumors suggest that Valve might bring back the Battle Pass for TI14, which could supercharge player engagement and prize pool growth.

A potential return of the Battle Pass would be a major pivot—one that could rekindle the explosive community support that made The International a record-smashing event year after year. However, Valve has yet to officially confirm any such move.

The Discussion: Is the Battle Pass Coming Back?

With fan excitement building and the clock ticking toward TI14, the community is left wondering:

Will Valve revive the Battle Pass to fuel another record-breaking prize pool? Or will the Compendium era continue—smaller, more streamlined, and possibly more sustainable?

Whatever the answer, one thing is clear: The International 2025 has officially begun its journey, and the entire Dota 2 world will be watching to see how high the prize pool can climb.