Tickets for The International 2024 (TI2024) went on sale today, revealing a staggering price tag. Priced at approximately $696.39 USD for a three-day package, with each day costing 1606.66 DKK ($231 USD) and an additional 10 DKK admin fee, these tickets represent some of the highest costs seen for an esports event in recent memory.
The Cost of Attending TI 2024
The International is the crown jewel of Dota 2’s competitive calendar, so a hefty price tag might be expected. However, with the overall cost including travel and accommodation likely to exceed a thousand dollars, many fans are questioning if they are being priced out of attending the event. Are Valve and other organizers catering to a niche audience with significant disposable income or business interests?
The Escalating Ticket Prices of The International
Over the past five years, the cost of attending The International has seen a dramatic increase:
- TI9 (Shanghai, 2019): Playoff tickets were around $70, while Finals tickets were $300.
- TI10 (Bucharest, 2021): Despite the event being canceled and tickets refunded, the Finals tickets were priced at $236.
- TI11 (Singapore, 2022): Finals tickets were priced at 498 SGD (approximately $360 USD), with single-day playoff tickets at 88 SGD ($60 USD). This was a significant increase, attributed to the high costs associated with Singapore as a venue.
- TI12 (Seattle, 2023): The price jumped to $699 USD for the Finals weekend, nearly doubling from the previous year when administrative fees were included.
This year, the price for TI2024 tickets has approached $700, causing dismay among the community. Notable figures like former EG player and CEO Peter “ppd” Dager and Dota 2 observer Jonathan “PimpmuckL” Liebig have voiced their concerns. Liebig pointed out that the pricing seems geared toward those with business interests rather than the average fan:
“650€ is just absurd because anyone with a business interest doesn’t give two fucks about spending that. But fans can’t fork that over.”
Can Fans Afford It?
But are Dota 2 fans truly unable to afford these prices? This is the same community known for spending large sums on battle passes and in-game cosmetics. Some might argue that the complaints are from a fan base that is used to receiving a lot from their free-to-play game, including top-tier esports events.
Moreover, a TI ticket often includes more than just entry to the event. One of the hidden rewards is the potential to receive a Treasure of the Crimson Witness. This exclusive item is given to attendees who witness a First Blood kill and can sell for over $250 on the Steam marketplace. Given the multiple First Bloods that occur during TI, attendees have several opportunities to earn this valuable item. Selling a couple of these treasures could easily cover the cost of a ticket or even a high-value item like a Steam Deck.
In addition to the Crimson Witness treasures, Valve is known for generously rewarding attendees. In 2023, for instance, each Finals attendee received a Dota 2 drawstring bag, pins, bookmarks, collectible passes, a lanyard, and a Figma action figure. In 2022, attendees received a tote bag, pins, a webcam protector, an in-game item code, a mouse mat, keycaps, and more. These items collectively could be worth hundreds of dollars, making the ticket price somewhat more justifiable.
Still Too Expensive?
Despite these perks, the high cost of attending TI raises concerns about the accessibility of live Dota 2 esports for average fans. While Valve and tournament organizers appear to prioritize making sure that business partners, content creators, and those with high disposable income can attend, conventional fans might find themselves priced out.
Only one major Dota 2 event this year, ESL One Birmingham, had an offline audience. The upcoming Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is likely to be equally expensive and may present other travel challenges. For many fans, especially those based in Southeast Asia and South America, attending European events like TI2024 can be prohibitively expensive due to high travel and accommodation costs.
A Call for Inclusivity
I'm not suggesting that Valve should drastically reduce the price of TI tickets or eliminate the included goodies and Crimson Witness treasures to cut costs. Live events are one of the few opportunities for the Dota 2 community to come together, celebrate, and connect over the game they love. With fewer live events and prohibitively high ticket prices, fewer fans will have the chance to experience this. It’s crucial to consider how to make these incredible events more accessible to the broader fanbase, ensuring that the excitement and camaraderie of The International are shared by as many people as possible.