Dota 2 The International is esports’ most prestigious championship, where the world’s best teams compete for the Aegis of Champions.
Since 2011, TI has grown from a $1.6 million event into a $40+ million phenomenon with the largest prize pools in esports history.
Team Falcons won Dota 2 The International 2025 in Hamburg, Germany, claiming $1.14 million from a $2.69 million prize pool. Before them, Team Liquid won TI 2024, joining OG, Team Spirit, and Invictus Gaming as multi-time champions.
This guide covers every Dota 2 International champion and runner-up, prize earnings, and legendary moments from 15 years of competitive excellence.
All-Time Dota 2 The International Champions (TI1–TI14)
| Year | Tournament | Champion | Runner-Up | Prize Pool | Grand Final Score |
| 2011 | TI1 | Natus Vincere | EHOME | $1.6M | 3-1 |
| 2012 | TI2 | Invictus Gaming | Natus Vincere | $1.6M | 3-1 |
| 2013 | TI3 | Alliance | Natus Vincere | $2.87M | 3-2 |
| 2014 | TI4 | Newbee | Vici Gaming | $10.9M | 3-1 |
| 2015 | TI5 | Evil Geniuses | CDEC Gaming | $18.4M | 3-1 |
| 2016 | TI6 | Wings Gaming | Digital Chaos | $20.8M | 3-1 |
| 2017 | TI7 | Team Liquid | Newbee | $24.7M | 3-0 |
| 2018 | TI8 | OG | PSG.LGD | $25.5M | 3-2 |
| 2019 | TI9 | OG | Team Liquid | $34.3M | 3-1 |
| 2020 | Cancelled (COVID-19) | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | TI10 | Team Spirit | PSG.LGD | $40.0M | 3-2 |
| 2022 | TI11 | Tundra Esports | Team Secret | $18.2M | 3-0 |
| 2023 | TI12 | Team Spirit | Gaimin Gladiators | $3.3M | 3-0 |
| 2024 | TI13 | Team Liquid | Xtreme Gaming | $2.6M | 3-1 |
| 2025 | TI14 | Team Falcons | Xtreme Gaming | $2.7M | 3-2 |
Natus Vincere won the inaugural Dota 2 championship at GamesCom 2011 with a $1 million first prize.
The prize pool has grown exponentially, peaking at $40 million in 2021 before declining in recent years due to shifting monetization models.
Dota 2 International Winners: Teams with Multiple Championships
Three teams have each won The International twice, establishing themselves as dynasty franchises in competitive Dota 2 history:
| Team | Years | Total Titles | Accolades |
| OG | 2018, 2019 | 2 | First back-to-back TI winners; only team to win consecutive titles |
| Team Spirit | 2021, 2023 | 2 | Won largest prize pool TI (2021); dominated TI12 with 3-0 sweep |
| Team Liquid | 2017, 2024 | 2 | First team with five international players; 3-0 sweep at TI7; returned after 7-year drought |
OG’s back-to-back victories in 2018–2019 marked the first time any team won consecutive Internationals. Team Liquid’s 2024 victory ended a seven-year championship drought, cementing their legacy alongside OG and Team Spirit.
Single-Time Dota 2 The International Champions (TI Winners)
| Team | Year | Prize Won | Notable Achievement |
| Natus Vincere | 2011 | $1,000,000 | Inaugural TI1 champions; only team with Clement “Puppey” Ivanov |
| Invictus Gaming | 2012 | $1,000,000 | First Chinese champions; dominated Chinese scene |
| Alliance | 2013 | $1,437,190 | Epic 3-2 final vs. Na’Vi; popularized Dota 2 globally |
| Newbee | 2014 | $5,025,029 | Record-breaking prize at time of TI4 |
| Evil Geniuses | 2015 | $6,634,272 | North America’s first TI victory; SumaiL’s breakout performance |
| Wings Gaming | 2016 | $9,139,002 | Creative drafting; unconventional hero selections |
| Tundra Esports | 2022 | $4,504,646 | 3-0 sweep over Team Secret; Aui_2000 coaching success |
| Team Falcons | 2025 | $1,145,108 | Dramatic 3-2 comeback vs. Xtreme Gaming; first-time champions |
Natus Vincere remains the only team to win two Dota 2 championships (TI1 and compete at every TI). Alliance’s TI3 victory spawned the legendary “rat Dota” era.
Evil Geniuses’ 2015 win marked North America’s dominance, while Team Falcons’ 2025 victory proved that new teams can still challenge established champions.
Dota 2 The International Prize Pools Over Time
The International’s prize pool has grown more than 25x since 2011, establishing it as esports’ most lucrative annual event:
| Year | Prize Pool | Winner’s Share | Growth vs. Previous | Funding Model |
| 2011 | $1.6M | $1.0M | — | Valve-only |
| 2012 | $1.6M | $1.0M | Same | Valve-only |
| 2013 | $2.87M | $1.44M | +79% | Compendium introduced |
| 2014 | $10.9M | $5.0M | +280% | Compendium sales surge |
| 2015 | $18.4M | $6.6M | +69% | Battle Pass (25% revenue) |
| 2016 | $20.8M | $9.1M | +13% | Battle Pass refined |
| 2017 | $24.7M | $10.8M | +19% | Stable funding |
| 2018 | $25.5M | $10.8M | +3% | DPC era begins |
| 2019 | $34.3M | $15.6M | +35% | Battle Pass 2019 |
| 2021 | $40.0M | $18.2M | +55% | Peak crowdfunding |
| 2022 | $18.2M | $8.4M | -55% | Compendium deprecation |
| 2023 | $3.3M | $1.4M | -82% | DPC cancellation impact |
| 2024 | $2.6M | $0.9M | -22% | Low engagement |
| 2025 | $2.7M | $1.1M | +4% | Stabilizing around $2.6M |
Team Spirit’s 2021 victory ($18.2 million) came with the largest esports prize pool ever awarded.
Recent tournaments show declining prize pools as community funding mechanisms shifted away from annual Battle Passes.
Record-Breaking Moments in Dota 2 The International History
| Record | Holder | Achievement |
| Most TI Appearances | Clement “Puppey” Ivanov | 11 consecutive Internationals (TI1–TI11); only player in every tournament until TI12 |
| Most TI Wins as Player + Coach | Aui_2000 | 3 total (TI5 player, TI11 & TI22 coach); only three-time champion |
| Highest Individual Game Earnings | UNiVeRsE (Saahil Arora) | $6 million for single Echo Slam at TI5 |
| Largest Prize Pool Ever | The International 2021 | $40,018,195 (still esports record) |
| Most Consecutive TI Championships | OG | Back-to-back wins (2018–2019) |
| Perfect Grand Final Sweep | Team Liquid (TI7), Tundra Esports (TI11) | 3-0 victories in grand finals |
Puppey’s presence at 11 consecutive TI tournaments represents unmatched longevity in esports.
UNiVeRsE’s Echo Slam play at TI5 remains one of Dota 2’s most analyzed moments, demonstrating how individual plays directly translate to prize money distribution.
Regional Dominance in Dota 2 The International
| Region | TI Wins | Teams/Years | Dominance Period |
| China | 4 | iG (2012), Newbee (2014), Wings (2016), LGD (0 runners-up) | 2012–2019 |
| Europe | 5 | Alliance (2013), Team Liquid (2017, 2024), OG (2018, 2019), Tundra (2022), Falcons (2025) | 2013–present |
| CIS/Eastern Europe | 1 | Natus Vincere (2011) | 2011 |
| North America | 2 | Evil Geniuses (2015), OG mixed roster (2018–2019) | 2015–2019 |
European teams have dominated The International since 2013 when Alliance won TI3. OG’s unprecedented back-to-back victories (2018–2019) marked the rise of mixed-nationality rosters over region-locked teams.
China maintained early dominance with 4 championships before declining in recent years.
Dota 2 The International Venues and Locations
| Year | City, Country | Venue | Attendance Notes |
| 2011 | Cologne, Germany | Gamescom | Trade show debut |
| 2012–2017 | Seattle, USA | Benaroya Hall & KeyArena | 6-year US dominance |
| 2018 | Vancouver, Canada | Rogers Arena | KeyArena renovations |
| 2019 | Shanghai, China | Mercedes-Benz Arena | First Asian host |
| 2021 | Bucharest, Romania | Arena Națională | Relocated; no live audience (COVID-19) |
| 2022 | Singapore | Singapore Indoor Stadium | First Southeast Asian TI |
| 2023 | Seattle, USA | Climate Pledge Arena | Return to Seattle |
| 2024 | Copenhagen, Denmark | Royal Arena | Return to Europe |
| 2025 | Hamburg, Germany | Barclays Arena | Record viewership (1.78M peak) |
| 2026 | Shanghai, China | Announced | Third Chinese host |
TI2025 in Hamburg drew 1.78 million concurrent viewers during the grand final, a new viewership peak for The International. The tournament has rotated globally, from its original Seattle base to Asia and back to Europe.
FAQs
Who won Dota 2 The International 2025?
Team Falcons defeated Xtreme Gaming 3-2 in a dramatic grand final on September 14, 2025, in Hamburg, Germany. The roster of Skiter, Malr1ne, AMMAR_THE_F, Crit, and Sneyking, coached by Aui_2000, claimed their first Aegis of Champions and $1.14 million in prize money.
Which team won The International the most times?
Three teams have won The International twice: OG (2018, 2019), Team Spirit (2021, 2023), and Team Liquid (2017, 2024). OG remains the only team to win consecutive championships.
What was the biggest Dota 2 International prize pool?
The International 2021 featured the largest prize pool in esports history at $40,018,195. Team Spirit won $18.2 million for first place. Prize pools have declined significantly since then, with TI2025 at $2.7 million.
Has Natus Vincere ever won The International again?
No, Natus Vincere has only won one International—TI1 in 2011. Despite reaching the grand finals three times (TI2, TI3), Na’Vi never reclaimed the Aegis after their inaugural victory.
Who is the only player in every Dota 2 International?
Clement “Puppey” Ivanov participated in 11 consecutive Internationals (TI1–TI11), making him the only player to attend every single TI until his retirement after TI11.
When is The International 2026?
The International 2026 will be held in Shanghai, China. Exact dates have not yet been confirmed by Valve. The tournament traditionally takes place in late August or September.
