There is no larger eSports event in the world than The International, a Dota 2 tournament where teams from all over the world clash over a prize pool that would have poker players drooling on their cards. The fifth annual tournament takes place in Seattle’s Key Arena from August 3 through 8, and tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.
Last year’s event, The International 4, reached a $10 million prize pool — the biggest in eSports history. We have no way of knowing whether the prize pool will meet or surpass that number this year, but it is clear that Dota 2 developer and Steam overlords Valve Software are doing everything that can to make The International 5 a bigger event than its predecessor.
While last year’s event lasted four days, this year’s will be a full two days longer. The number of participants is the same, however, with 16 teams competing for a cut of the prize pool. Valve has said that team invitations will go out shortly after May 1.
If you’re looking to get a ticket, you’ve got to be quick — last year’s event sold out within an hour. Tickets will be on sale through Ticketmaster and will sell in two “waves.” The first wave is set for 10 a.m. PT, with a second wave starting at 10 p.m. PT for fans who miss the first.
One thing you won’t have to worry about is people buying up tickets and selling them later at a hefty price increase: There is a limit of five tickets per household, and this rule stretches across both scheduled waves.
Tickets cost $99 each and provide access for the entire six-day event. For more information, see Valve’s International Tickets FAQ.
