Dota 2: The International 5 draws $17 million prize pool and 16 teams to Seattle

DOTA 2

E-sports have been on the rise in recent years and at the fore of these developments have been Valve. This year’s edition of Dota 2’s International, which is Valve’s annual Dota 2 tournament boasts a massive prize pool of over $17 million the majority of which comes from the community itself through the sale of in-game merchandise called the compendium. The megaevent is set to take place at the Key Arena in Seattle and will run from the 3rd to the 8th of August.

16 teams will battle it out as the Aegis of champions rests in the balance. Last year’s champions Newbee will be looking to defend their title despite a somewhat lackluster year since their big moment.

The Dota community is hyped and ready for what might very well be the biggest event and most certainly the biggest prize pool in the history of competetive gaming.

Team Secret are looking to cap off a stellar year with a win at the grandest stage of them all. Not many can argue with their pedigree but the result is far from a foregone conclusion with Evil Geniuses, LGD, Vici Gaming, Cloud 9, Invictus Gaming and even perennial fan favourites Na’vi looking to rain on their parade.

The tournament begins with the Wildcard matches on the 26th of July, which will decide the final 2 teams to join the 14 that have already qualified. With Vega Squadron, CDEC, Team Archon and MVP.Phoenix looking to secure their spots in the main event at Key Arena.

The stage is set then for an epic competition with the biggest names and the biggest prize pool the E-sports world has ever seen, it is time then for The International 5.