The Dota 2 International prize pool is closing in on $19 million

It sounded impossible. Many thought it would only come close, but the The International 2016 Dota 2 prize pool has surpassed last year’s $18,429,613. Currently the Dota 2 prize pool, largely funded by the Compendium, is sitting at $18,763,769 and with just over two weeks until the start of the 2016 installment. Some believe this number may even reach $20 million. This already stands as the largest prize pool in the history of eSports, and the growing trend of increasing every year is making Dota 2 the highest earning competition according to the website eSports Earnings.

If we take a closer look at the prize pool tracker, it’s clear that 2015 saw an upward trend going up roughly $3 million in the final days of the competitions. We are now at Day 70 of the Compendium, and in 2015 the prize pool sat at $15,816,027.

 

The prize pool will continue to grow throughout the tournament, and that’s where we see the sudden rise which brought it to $18.4 million mark in 2015. If this trend continues, it’s safe to assume that this year’s prize pool may reach the $21 million mark by the end of the tournament.

But, how?

There might be a few of you out there who are confused as to how a prize pool could grow to this staggeringly high number. Allow me to shed some light. Valve initially put in $1.6 million, from there on out they released the Compendium which is a little booklet with information, activities and rewards for those who upgrade their Compendium and complete challenges. These rewards are cosmetic, ranging from hero skins to the newly released player cards.

Valve continues to update the Compendium throughout the 100 day release creating incentive for people to continue leveling up their compendia to gain access to these new rewards.

The initial battle pass costs you $9.99 for a level 1 Compendium, $26.99 for a level 50 Compendium, and from there on out you can either complete challenges to gain levels, or purchase them in them at the following prices:

• 5 LEVELS $2.49 USD
• 11 LEVELS $4.99 US
• 24 LEVELS $9.99 USD

Yes, people spend thousands of Dollars (and Rands) on these levels, and that’s how the prize pool continues to grow. Valve in fact released a compendium update today with the addition of player cards, a feature which was absent from last year’s International.

The latest update also includes a VR Hub, which will be the first VR eSports experience.

“Step into Dota VR Theater to watch live matches and replays in SteamVR. Jump in solo, with friends, or join the community to watch the action unfold on an enormous screen surrounded by full-size avatars of the heroes on the battlefield. Select the minimap at any point to move directly onto the field of battle itself, then use the controllers to teleport around the Dota landscape.”

This year’s Dota 2 International is going to be a spectacle as increasing prize pool is one feature of many. The tournament starts on the 13th of August, and once again we will offer coverage for those who cannot watch all the games.

Last Updated: July 28, 2016