The International 2026 prize pool breaches $3,000,000

Over 15 years of The International, we have seen some absolutely crazy prize pools. From the first iteration shocking the esports world with an unheard of $1,000,000 for the winning team, all the way through to a staggering $40,000,000 prize pool at TI 2021. The tournament has come a long way. For TI 2026, although we are no longer seeing the insanely high numbers, we are seeing a higher prize pool than last year.

While the Battle Pass has left us, and the Compendium has come and gone, this year’s Team and Talent Bundles are doing the work.

TI 2026 is in full swing, and while we are currently in the eye of the storm, awaiting the main event, the prize pool continues to grow. With a base amount of $1,600,000, the amount increases via the sale of the Teams and Talent bundles available for purchase in-game. With the Battle Pass disappearing after TI 2022, the prize pool has stagnated with the introduction of the Compendium.

However, changing things up, instead of either a Battle Pass or a Compendium, players can support their favourite teams or talent buy purchasing their bundles.

Now, at the 15th anniversary of TI, the prize pool at the current time of writing has risen to $3,136,312. With the playoffs still a few days away, and plenty of epic Dota 2 action on the cards, we could see the highest non-Battle Pass prize pool since 2023 - which was $3,380,455 at its peak.

Sadly, we might never see a prize pool of over $40,000,000 ever again for Dota 2. But, there is always a hope in our hearts that Valve bring back the Battle Pass (and Diretide) at some point. For now, we will wait and see where the TI 2026 pool will land as we prepare for the Aegis of Champions to be lifted.