As Other Esports Events Strive for Accessibility, The International Drifts Off Course
Major titles like Valorant, League of Legends, and Rocket League have managed to strike a balance, ensuring that fans from diverse economic backgrounds can partake in the spectacle. Yet, Dota 2’s The International seems to be veering off course, alienating a significant portion of its fanbase with prohibitive pricing.
Consider Valorant’s marquee event, VALORANT Champions Seoul 2024, scheduled from August 1-25. Riot Games has adopted a fan-friendly pricing model, with tickets ranging from a modest $20 for the playoffs to $120 for the grand final. This strategic pricing ensures that fans from various economic backgrounds can experience the event, fostering a sense of inclusivity.
Similarly, the 2023 League of Legends World Championship, held across multiple stages and venues in South Korea, offered tickets priced between $23 and $189 per day. This broad spectrum of prices enabled a wide audience to experience the event firsthand, maintaining a delicate balance between accessibility and exclusivity. The Mobile Legends M5 World Championships in the Philippines in 2023 echoed this approach, with entry prices starting at just $8.78 for group stage matches and peaking at $56.21 for the grand final.
Rocket League’s World Championships 2024, set for September 13-15 at Dickies Arena in the U.S., also embody this inclusive philosophy. Regular tickets begin at $64.50, with premium options available at $465, providing various tiers of access to suit different fans.
Even the Esports World Cup 2024, featuring 21 different titles, has maintained highly accessible ticket prices, spanning from $3.20 to $5.33 per day, ensuring the event remains within reach for a broad audience.
In a surprising contrast, Valve’s other premier esports title, Counter-Strike 2, demonstrates a fairer pricing model. The recent CS2 Major at Copenhagen’s Royal Arena—where The International 2024 is also set to be held—offered tickets for as little as $250 for all four days, with the most expensive tickets costing $374. In contrast, Dota 2 enthusiasts face a staggering $699 charge for just the three-day finals weekend of The International 2024.
While other major titles prioritize accessibility, The International risks alienating its loyal fanbase with exorbitant prices, making it increasingly difficult for dedicated fans to be part of the experience.
While this move might seem like a blatant cash grab, there could be a more strategic rationale behind it: combating ticket scalpers.
