Dota 2’s The International (TI) is the most prestigious esports tournament in the world, offering record-breaking prize pools and intense competition. Hosted annually by Valve Corporation, TI has shaped the competitive gaming landscape since its inception in 2011.
From a humble $1.6 million prize pool in its first edition to an astonishing $40 million in 2021, The International has become a symbol of esports excellence. The tournament brings together the best Dota 2 teams globally, competing for the coveted Aegis of Champions.
Over the years, TI has witnessed legendary rivalries, Cinderella stories, and strategic evolutions that have defined the game's meta. Below is a complete list of all Dota 2 TI winners and their prize pools from 2011 to 2024.
The table below highlights the winning teams of each TI edition along with their respective prize pools.
| Year | Winner | Prize Pool |
| 2011 | Natus Vincere | $1,600,000 |
| 2012 | Invictus Gaming | $1,600,000 |
| 2013 | Alliance | $2,874,380 |
| 2014 | Newbee | $10,923,977 |
| 2015 | Evil Geniuses | $18,429,613 |
| 2016 | Wings Gaming | $20,770,460 |
| 2017 | Team Liquid | $24,787,916 |
| 2018 | OG | $25,532,177 |
| 2019 | OG | $34,330,068 |
| 2021 | Team Spirit | $40,018,195 |
| 2022 | Tundra Esports | $18,930,775 |
| 2023 | Team Spirit | $3,380,455 |
| 2024 | Team Liquid | $2,776,566 |
Note: The International was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first three editions of TI featured relatively modest prize pools, with Valve fully funding the winnings. Natus Vincere, Invictus Gaming, and Alliance emerged victorious in these early years, establishing themselves as dominant forces in the Dota 2 scene.
In 2014, Valve introduced The Compendium, allowing the Dota 2 community to contribute to the prize pool through in-game purchases. This led to a dramatic rise in winnings, with Newbee securing the first-ever TI title with an 8-figure prize pool.
This era saw OG’s historic back-to-back TI victories (2018 & 2019), and a peak prize pool of $40 million in 2021 when Team Spirit stunned the Dota 2 world.
Valve shifted away from crowdfunding after TI10, resulting in smaller prize pools in 2022, 2023, and 2024. However, the tournament's prestige remains unmatched in esports.
Dota 2’s The International (TI) is more than just a tournament it is a battleground where the greatest players and teams etch their names into esports history. Over the years, several squads and individuals have left an indelible mark, shaping the game’s competitive landscape.
From legendary team dynasties to MVP-caliber players, TI has seen some of the best Dota 2 talent rise to the top. In this article, we take a deep dive into the most notable teams and players in TI history, highlighting their achievements, records, and unforgettable moments.
OG redefined Dota 2 history by becoming the first-ever back-to-back TI winners in 2018 and 2019. Known for their resilience, OG overcame significant odds to secure their titles, making them the most decorated team in TI history.
Team Spirit stunned the Dota 2 world by winning TI10 (2021) with a $40M prize pool, making it the biggest prize money win in esports history. They followed it up with another victory in 2023, proving they are a force to be reckoned with.
Na’Vi dominated the early years of Dota 2, winning the first-ever TI in 2011 and making three consecutive TI Grand Finals (2011-2013). Their aggressive playstyle and Dendi’s iconic Pudge hooks made them fan favorites.
Team Liquid made history by winning TI7 in 2017, sweeping Newbee 3-0 in the Grand Final one of the most dominant TI wins ever. They secured another title in The International 2024, proving their ability to stay relevant across different metas.
Evil Geniuses made history by winning TI5, becoming the first (and only) North American team to win The International. Their disciplined playstyle and SumaiL’s legendary Storm Spirit helped them secure the Aegis.
N0tail, the captain of OG, masterminded their back-to-back TI victories, solidifying his place as one of Dota 2’s greatest leaders. His ability to build a winning team from scratch is unmatched.
Miracle- rose to fame with his unmatched mechanical skills and clutch performances. He played a crucial role in Liquid’s TI7 victory, where his versatility across multiple heroes stood out.
Ana is one of Dota 2’s most mysterious and impactful players, often taking long breaks from the scene but returning just in time to dominate at The International.
Yatoro became a household name after winning TI10 and pulling off an insane 20+ unique hero pool throughout the tournament a feat never seen before.
Dendi was the face of Dota 2’s early era, bringing creativity and aggressive plays to the mid-lane. His TI1 victory and famous Fountain Hook play at TI3 remain legendary moments in Dota 2 history.
Winning The International (TI) is the ultimate goal for every Dota 2 team, but some unforgettable teams and players have made history without lifting the Aegis of Champions. Whether through legendary performances, game-changing plays, or deep tournament runs, these teams and players have left an indelible mark on TI history.
This article celebrates the greatest teams and players who didn’t win TI but had a huge impact on Dota 2’s competitive scene.
Why They Were Special:
PSG.LGD has been one of the most consistent powerhouses in Dota 2 history. Despite four deep runs in TI from 2018 to 2022, they fell short each time. Their TI8 Grand Final vs. OG remains one of the most intense series ever played.
PSG LGD are Top 3 at The International 2019. Congratulations! #TI9 pic.twitter.com/KcvLBJYUzo
— Wykrhm Reddy (@wykrhm) August 22, 2019
Why They Were Special:
Vici Gaming was known for hyper-aggressive early game strategies. Their TI4 Grand Final run showcased fast-paced, tower-taking Dota, but they lost to Newbee.
Why They Were Special:
After winning TI1, Na’Vi almost became the first two-time TI champions but fell short in TI2 (vs. Invictus Gaming) and TI3 (vs. Alliance). Their playstyle defined early Dota 2.
Why They Were Special:
EHOME was the first dominant Chinese team in TI history. After losing the TI1 Grand Final to Na’Vi, they remained a Chinese Dota staple, making deep runs in multiple TIs.
Why They Were Special:
TNC shocked the Dota 2 world by eliminating OG from TI6, proving SEA teams were capable of beating the best. Their consistent performances made them a staple of Dota 2’s TI scene.
fy is known for his elite Rubick plays and game-changing initiations. Despite multiple deep runs, he never lifted the Aegis.
Somnus (formerly Maybe) is one of the most talented mid-laners ever, but he narrowly missed out on TI glory multiple times.
Arteezy is one of the most popular Dota 2 players, but despite multiple TI appearances, he has never made a Grand Final.
Paparazi (aka Erika) has consistently been one of China’s best carry players, but he has never won TI.
gpk is one of the most promising young mid-laners and led Virtus.pro’s deep run in TI10, showing that CIS Dota has a bright future.
Dota 2’s The International (TI) has produced some of the most iconic moments in esports history. From epic comebacks to unbelievable individual plays, TI has consistently delivered unforgettable battles that define the spirit of competitive gaming.
Some games showcased underdog triumphs, while others featured clutch plays that changed the course of Dota 2 forever. This article highlights the most memorable matches and moments that every Dota 2 fan should know.
OG entered TI8 as an unproven ragtag team, but against all odds, they made it to the Grand Finals against PSG.LGD, one of the tournament favorites. After falling behind 1-2, OG pulled off an incredible comeback, winning Game 4 and Game 5 in one of the most intense series ever played.
Against all odds, we stood united, fought until the very end and became your #TI8 Champions!
— OG (@OGesports) August 26, 2018
The Dream is now real. @OG_BDN0tail @7ckngMadDOTA @iamJERAX @TopsonDota @anadota99 #DreamOG pic.twitter.com/cDc6CGvKyW
The TI3 Grand Final between Alliance and Na’Vi was one of the most thrilling series ever played. The decisive Game 5 featured a chaotic base race where both teams tried to destroy the enemy Ancient at the same time.
Evil Geniuses faced off against CDEC, an underdog Chinese team that had made an impressive lower bracket run. However, in Game 4 of the Grand Finals, EG’s offlaner Universe delivered a game-winning Echo Slam that completely turned the fight.
After losing Game 1 to PSG.LGD, Team Liquid bounced back with two miraculous victories, led by Miracle- and w33. Their incredible teamwork and aggressive playstyle overwhelmed PSG.LGD, knocking them out of the tournament.
OG entered TI6 as the tournament favorites, but TNC Predator, a Southeast Asian team with no prior major wins, pulled off a shocking 2-0 upset.
During TI3’s upper bracket, Na’Vi’s Dendi and Puppey discovered a game-breaking combo, using Pudge’s Meat Hook and Chen’s Test of Faith to pull enemy heroes straight into their fountain.
Bring back fountain hook!! 🙏 Cloud9.Dendi when? pic.twitter.com/tZIAP64qlk
— Cloud9 Dota 2 (@C9Dota) September 10, 2024
Collapse’s Magnus Reverse Polarities (RP) in TI10’s Grand Finals were so precise that PSG.LGD had no answer. His game-changing RPs made him a TI legend overnight.
Ana, playing Ember Spirit, made a bold decision not to buy back after dying. This baited PSG.LGD into overcommitting, allowing OG to counterattack and win.
Miracle- shocked the world by buying a Divine Rapier on Medusa, showing complete confidence in Team Liquid’s unstoppable performance.
Wings Gaming won TI6 by playing almost every hero in the game, proving that Dota 2 creativity beats meta strategies.
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The International (TI) is Dota 2’s premier annual tournament, hosted by Valve Corporation. It features the world’s best teams competing for the Aegis of Champions and a massive prize pool.
TI is an annual event, except for 2020, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The biggest prize pool was in 2021 ($40,018,195), won by Team Spirit.
OG holds the record with two TI victories (2018 & 2019), making them the only back-to-back winners in history.
Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) won the first-ever TI in 2011, securing $1.6 million in prize money.
Valve discontinued crowdfunding methods like The Compendium, leading to smaller prize pools from 2022 onward.
PSG.LGD is widely considered the strongest team to never win The International, despite multiple Grand Final appearances.
OG’s TI8 victory is the greatest Cinderella story, as they started as open qualifier underdogs and went on to win the tournament.
Johan “N0tail” Sundstein from OG holds the record for highest career earnings in esports, thanks to back-to-back TI wins.
Arteezy’s best TI result was 3rd place at TI8 with Evil Geniuses, but he has never reached a TI Grand Final.
Alliance vs. Na’Vi in the TI3 Grand Finals is considered the greatest TI match ever, featuring an unforgettable base race in Game 5.
TNC Predator’s 2-0 victory over OG at TI6 is widely regarded as the biggest upset in TI history, eliminating a tournament favorite.
Team Liquid’s 3-0 sweep over Newbee at TI7 is the most dominant Grand Final performance in TI history.
