The International is Dota 2’s annual world championship tournament, considered to be the biggest and most prestigious event in all of esports. Ever since the first International in 2011, interest and viewership for the tournament has steadily risen over the years. As a result, the prize pools have reached astronomical heights, with The International 2022 boasting a jaw-dropping prize pool of over $40 million. With so much hype and excitement around TI every year, tickets to attend the event live at the stadium are highly coveted and can be difficult to obtain.
TI Ticket Types
There are a few different types of tickets available for purchase to attend The International each year. They vary in terms of specific seating location, amenities, and of course price. The main ticket levels offered are:
- Standard Tickets – These provide access to general stadium seating areas.
- Floor Seats – Seats located on the arena floor, closest to the action.
- VIP Tickets – Offer premium amenities and lounge access.
Within each tier there are further subdivisions for specific sections and rows. Generally the closer you are to the floor, the higher the ticket price will be. There are also designated areas for each team’s fans, so die-hard supporters will pay extra for seats in their favorite squad’s cheering section.
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices for The International can vary substantially depending on the specific ticket type, seat location, market demand and availability. The base price for a standard ticket starts around $100-$200 USD. Floor seats are more in the range of $300-$500+, while plush VIP packages can cost several thousands of dollars per person.
Here is a rough breakdown of the pricing levels for different TI ticket types:
Ticket Type | Price Range |
---|---|
Standard Ticket | $100-$200 |
Standard Premium | $200-$300 |
Floor Seat | $300-$500 |
VIP Package | $500-$5,000+ |
Keep in mind these are just ballpark figures and the actual prices can fluctuate year to year. The International 2022 standard tickets initially retailed for $205, for example. The number available in each bracket also varies based on venue size and layout.
Demand and Markups
Since the tickets are limited and sell out extremely quickly each year, it can be difficult to purchase them directly from the organizer at face value. This results in a bustling secondary market where resellers offer tickets at heavily marked up prices.
In many cases, tickets with a $200 face value could end up reselling for $500 or more as the event nears and demand skyrockets. The most coveted floor seat and VIP tickets often resell for outrageous premiums, sometimes up to 5X their original price or more if inventory remains scarce closer to TI.
Regular vs. Midweek Tickets
Another factor that affects The International ticket pricing is the difference between regular tournament day tickets and midweek passes. The group stage of TI takes place during the workweek, while the playoffs and finals occur Thursday-Sunday. Midweek tickets are typically discounted up to 50% or more compared to regular tickets for the premier weekend matches.
For example, a $205 weekend pass would only be $115 for midweek group play. So budget-conscious fans can save a lot opting for the lower-demand midweek days. Of course the atmosphere and stakes are higher on the deciding main event matches, so the regular tickets are what most fans splurge on.
Where to Buy Tickets
There are a few options when it comes to purchasing International tickets:
- Directly from Tournament Organizer – Tickets are sold through the event’s official website, usually in batches. These initial sales sell out extremely quickly.
- Reseller Marketplaces – Sites like Stubhub, VividSeats, Ticketmaster and others sell passes from individual owners reselling at variable market prices.
- Dota 2 Forums/Reddit – Fans sometimes resell extra tickets through Dota community channels, though risks come with private sales.
The limited quantity of tickets released in the official sales tends to sell out almost instantly to fans refreshing and competing for the chance to purchase. So realistically, many buyers end up forced to pay the higher secondary market prices if they missed out on the initial drop.
Avoiding Scams
When purchasing second-hand tickets on the private market, fans need to take precautions to avoid scams or counterfeits. Some tips include:
- Use reputable reseller platforms like StubHub which guarantee valid tickets.
- Thoroughly vet any private sellers on forums/Reddit and check their feedback.
- Confirm tickets are transferable and not tied solely to the original buyer’s identity.
- Use secure payment methods like credit cards with fraud protection over cash, PayPal, etc.
- Be especially wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
While scoring tickets to The International is an exciting prospect for any Dota 2 fan, it’s always prudent to do your due diligence in researching sources to avoid disappointment or outright fraud.
Future Outlook
As The International continues to grow into one of the most viewed and richest esports tournaments in the world, demand for attending the live event only increases over time. This leads to tickets selling out faster every year and steeper prices on the secondary market.
Some measures tournament organizers could take to improve access and affordability include:
- Expanding venue capacity to allow for larger audiences.
- Releasing more tickets increments to combat initial waves selling out instantly.
- Offering discount ticket allotments or lottery drawings for a chance at face value passes.
- Cracking down on illegal ticket scalping activities that inflate secondary market prices.
However, as long as global interest and viewership for Dota 2 continues rising, The International will remain one of the hottest tickets in esports. For the legions of fans without tickets, the matches will at least be fully viewable through livestreams and broadcasts.
Conclusion
Obtaining tickets to The International is a dream for dedicated Dota 2 fans, but the reality is often more complicated than expected. Between intensely scarce supply, instantaneous initial sellouts, and prohibitive secondary market markups, getting passes at a fair price can be a serious challenge.
While the average Dota 2 player hopes to one day score the coveted tickets and experience TI live, many will realistically end up missing out and watching from home through Twitch. Still, The International delivers unmatched hype and memories every year, whether witnessed in person or online. Valve will surely keep exploring ways to expand access and improve affordability for future installments of Dota 2’s crown jewel event.
In summary:
- Standard TI tickets start around $100-$200, floor seats $300-$500, VIP packages $500+.
- High demand and limited supply lead to scarce initial availability and inflated resale prices.
- Midweek tickets discounted ~50% from weekend playoff passes.
- Exercise caution buying secondhand tickets to avoid scams.
- Huge global interest translates to instant sellouts and costly secondary market prices.
- Tournament organizers could potentially improve access and affordability going forward.
For the passionate Dota 2 fanbase, the magic of The International delivers each year regardless of whether viewed in-person or online. Valve continues to nurture TI into one of esport’s most beloved events.