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The biggest esports competition of the year, The International, was postponed due to security concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Probably pushed to 2021
Valve Corporation announced that it is postponing its flagship world esports tournament, The International. The world’s largest esports event pits teams from around the world in Valve’s game, Dota 2. It would take place in Stockholm, Sweden in August.
In a brief Dota 2 blog post, Valve explained that the decision came after “extensive consideration of the global health emergency stemming from COVID-19,” adding that The International is likely to need to be rescheduled by 2021.
we don’t expect to be confident enough to communicate firm dates in the near future. ”
There are no dates set at this time, as Valve continued: “Given the highly volatile outlook for local collection restrictions, the virus trajectory, and global travel policies, we do not expect to be confident enough to communicate firm dates in the near future. . “
Sweden has been criticized for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, as it has not issued orders to stay home like other countries have done to try to build collective immunity. Although Sweden’s confirmed infected count of 21,520 is well below that of many countries, their numbers have had a strong upward trajectory. At the time of writing this article, 12% of those diagnosed have died from the virus, compared to 3-5% of their Scandinavian neighbors.
Prize pool of $ 34.3 million last year
Launched in 2011, The International’s popularity is unmatched in the gaming world. Last year’s event at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai sold out 26,804 tickets in less than a minute. 8,268 weekend passes sold out in less than half a minute.
International’s largest prize pool in esports is unique in that it is funded by Dota 2 players. Valve sells a Special Battle Pass, offering buyers special quests and other in-game content. . 25% of the proceeds from the sale of the Battle Pass funds the tournament prize pool.
Last year’s prize pool was $ 34.3 million, an increase of 134% from the 2018 total. Valve raised funds for 110 days in 2019, generating nearly $ 300,000 per day for The International.
International 2019 featured 18 teams that qualified for the tournament through an eight-month Dota Pro circuit (12 teams) or by winning regional playoffs (six teams). The European OG team became the first consecutive champion last year, earning $ 15.6 million.
Pandemic is not bad for electronic sports
Despite being video game competitions, many eSports events have been postponed or canceled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teams compete together in the same venue for most major events; Along with the big crowds, live contests are not safe right now. Notably, the NBA 2K League, a branch of NBA e-sports, has been postponed and the 2020 Pokémon Championship Series has been canceled.
Valve doesn’t seem to have seriously considered moving The International online
Others, like the Overwatch League, initially canceled the matches in person, but have since moved online. As you read the blog post, it doesn’t appear that Valve has seriously considered moving The International online.
However, there is an advantage to the e-sports pandemic. Because eSports are some of the only sports available to watch, the visibility of games and leagues has increased.
Rupert Svendsen-Cook, co-founder of London-based Veloce Sports, told Radio 1 Newsbeat that “it is likely to be somewhat accelerated in about two years for us.”
Professional sports leagues have also been embracing eSports during the shutdown, whether it’s serious competition or just for entertainment.
Professional drivers have been participating in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, NBA players faced off in the first NBA 2K Player Tournament, and Premier League and MLS players competed in special FIFA 20 tournaments. to benefit charity.
