The International (TI), Dota 2's crown jewel event, is on the horizon for 2024. Slated to unfold in the scenic city of Copenhagen, Denmark, this September, the tournament is gearing up to be a battleground where 16 elite teams vie for the championship title. This year, the competition heats up with a revamped format that reintroduces invites alongside open qualifiers, leveling the playing field and igniting hopes across the global Dota 2 community.
For the first time since TI7, the prestigious event has welcomed back direct invites, selecting six teams based on their year-round performance, especially valuing their achievements in major international events. Among the invited elite is the reigning champion, Team Spirit, whose prowess is undisputed. However, all eyes are on Team Falcons, the standout squad of 2024, alongside Xtreme Gaming, the lone titan from the East. From last year's top contenders, Gaimin Gladiators and Team Liquid have also made the cut, with BetBoom completing the list of direct invites.
The allocation of the remaining ten spots at TI13 hinges on the historical performance of regions at the last International, introducing a strategic layer to the qualification process. South America, bolstered by TSM and nouns' commendable performances, has earned two coveted slots, spotlighting the region's rising prominence in the Dota 2 arena. Conversely, North America finds itself with a single slot, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive qualifier.
With the official rankings determining the next tier of invites to the qualifiers, teams not directly invited found themselves either battling through open qualifiers or leveraging their rankings for a shot at glory. The qualification saga began in early June, with the Chinese and North American qualifiers setting the pace. Eastern Europe and South America followed suit, with Western Europe and Southeast Asia wrapping up the global qualification rounds by June 23.
The International 2024 is not just another tournament; it represents a pivotal moment in Dota 2 esports, blending tradition with innovation through its invite and qualification system. As teams from across the globe set their sights on Copenhagen, the anticipation builds, promising a spectacle that will captivate fans and players alike. With the stage set for epic clashes and the return of direct invites injecting a fresh dynamic, TI13 is poised to etch a new chapter in the annals of Dota 2 history.
(First reported by: Dota 2 Official Announcement, 2023)
