Bet on The International 2026

Just How Big is The International in Ireland?

The International is widely regarded as one of the premier esports tournaments globally. It attracts hundreds of thousands of competitors and is viewed by millions of esports enthusiasts online.

With a prize pool that reached an incredible €45,000,000 for the 2022 edition, it's clear The International isn't just any small tournament. That kind of prize money is substantial, and no minor event would boast such a jaw-dropping sum.

Another indicator of The International's massive scale is its lineup of 18 teams hailing from various corners of the globe. This tournament truly is a global affair, not confined to a single country or continent. In terms of viewership, The International consistently draws millions of viewers. For instance, the 2021 edition peaked with an impressive 2.74 million concurrent viewers.

A Quick Guide to Dota 2

Dota 2 is a popular online multiplayer game developed by Valve Corporation, the same company behind the renowned Counter-Strike series. The game employs a real-time strategy (RTS) framework where players assume control of a unique hero character and engage in battles against other players or AI-controlled opponents. Unlike many esports titles featuring multiple playable characters, Dota 2 assigns each player a single hero character to command.

Gameplay in Dota 2 involves two key elements: the in-game shop, where players can acquire various items using virtual currency, and the items themselves, which players use to customise their hero characters.

Dota 2, originating as a mod for Warcraft 3, has maintained its popularity since its 2013 release and continues to challenge players. The primary objective of the game is to dismantle the opposing team's base while simultaneously defending your own.

What Makes Dota 2 So Popular with Irish Gamers?

Dota 2 has a variety of features that make it enjoyable. Some of these include:

• It is easy to understand, even for those who are not very familiar with video games.
• It brings back memories of long ago at a time when video games had dragons and other creatures for players to fight against.
• Players can choose from various characters with different abilities that can be upgraded.
• The game is good in every aspect; gameplay, graphics, and animations are smooth. The heroes are handsome, and you can find new ones as soon as they come out (sometimes within days or hours following their debut). Therefore, there's always something new to play with.

Why is The International popular to bet on?

The International is undoubtedly one of the most exciting esport online tournaments in the world. It provides the opportunity for bettors to wager on their favorite team or player. But what really makes this tournament popular among punters?

1. The tournament brings together the best Dota 2 teams in the world. Each of these teams commands a massive following in terms of fans, most of which are also punters. A tournament in which the best teams compete will undoubtedly attract millions of bettors.

2. The International offers a wide range of betting markets for bettors to choose from. Some of these include:

• Team to win The International
• Player to win The International
• Winner of the group stage
• Winner of the playoffs

3. The International is also a very competitive tournament. Only the best teams in the world make it to the finals, which makes it more exciting for bettors.

4. Dota 2 Odds on The International tournament are available at all online esport betting sites, as long as the event is on. Hence, bettors don't struggle to find where to bet on this tournament.

The International's Winning teams and biggest moments

The International is one of those major esport tournaments that are very competitive; the race for the prize is stiffer than you can imagine. Since the first edition in 2011, only one team has managed to be crowned champions twice. Other winners have only been recognized once. Here are the winners and the most significant moments in the tournament's history.

Natus Vincere

This was the first team to test The International title. Its NaVi won the first edition in 2011. In this final, the team defeated EHOME 3-1 to lift the title. Featuring in this team were Puppey (Clement), a legendary Dota 2 player who has participated in the tournament more than any other individual.

Others included XBOCT, Artstyle, and Dendi. Taking home a staggering US$1 million from a $1.6 million grand prize is something the team will never forget; we won't let it go either.

And while the team has not won the title a second time, it has constantly been harassing its opponents, ensuring they have to run for their money. The fact that NaVi went all the way to the final the following year (2012) says it all.

Invictus Gaming

Wrestling the title from the first edition champions was not easy, and that perhaps highlights how strong this team was at the time. During this final, Invictus Gaming defeated Natus Vincere 3-1, taking home a grand prize of US$1 million.

Alliance

This was the tournament's best team in 2013. Like Invictus Gaming, Alliance was given a run for their money by none other than Natus Vincere, and they were the first European team to win the tournament. They defeated their opponents 3-1, and taking home a $1.4 million prize was spectacular. Players here included Akke, Loda, EGM, AdmiralBulldog, and s4. This third edition is what put The International on the global map in terms of popularity.

Newbee

With the tournament's popularity having soared the previous year, Newbee was seeking the crown against a backdrop of a highly publicized competition. And while the tournament was hosted in Washington, an away ground did not stand in the way of Newbee. In this edition (2014), the finalists were entirely new, with Newbee on the one hand and Vici Gaming on the other.

The former would beat the latter 3-1, taking a whopping US$5,025,029 and reasserting China's dominance in the competition.

Other winners

2015: Evil Geniuses
2016: Wings Gaming
2017: Team Liquid
2018: OG
2019: OG

Where and how to bet on The International?

The International is a global tournament, and thus, it is one of the best esports tournaments when it comes to betting. It doesn't matter where you're betting on esport tournaments from; you should be able to access the event as long as your country allows. To choose the best site for betting on The International or other eSport championships, here are a few things to look at:

• Odds offered by the site: The better the odds, the more you can win if you bet on the tournament.
• The site's reputation: Look at what their track record is and whether the site is licensed or not.
• Live betting: If you want to place your bets while watching the game live, this is a factor you will want to consider. Also, some sites allow you to place bets during halftime.
• Mobile compatibility: Some sites only work on a desktop or laptop, so you will want to consider this factor.
• Customer support: If you ever have any questions about the site or the betting process, the support team should be able to efficiently help.

How to bet on The International

The procedure for betting on The International is simple:

• Sign up with an esports site that offers odds on the tournament
• Log in and make a deposit
• Choose the match you want to bet on
• Choose your stake and complete the process