The prize pool for The International 2019 broke all records as Dota 2 Database World Championship surpassed $30 million prize pool. As of this writing, The International’s prize pool sits at $30.2M, which beats the 2018 record of $25.5 million.
Last year the prizepool total of $25,532,177 by more than a few dollars, and this year’s total will only rise as there is still time for the community to add more to the total by purchasing in game items.
The International’s prize pool primarily comes via crowdfunding. Dota 2 publisher Valve Database contributes the first $1.6 million, with the remainder provided by a percentage of sales from the game’s Battle Pass. The purchase lets players unlock in-game content and access The International Compendium, which includes a Fantasy Challenge for the tournament.
The prize pool can continue to grow for another month, as well, until the end of the actual tournament on 25 August, therefore, it is expected to grow even more.
Players are able to add to the prize pool by purchasing the TI9 Battle Pass in the game and then purchasing extras such as levels to get more rewards in the game, or TI9 themed loot boxes that give players exclusive cosmetics. 25 per cent of all the TI9 related purchases are added to the prize pool, so while that number is impressive, the number Valve has pocketed from all the microtransactions is much higher.
