Dota 2 championship The International 2014 has passed $10 million for its prize pool.
The biggest prize pool in esports history only continues to grow. This July 18 – 21, the best Dota 2 players will compete for more than $10 million in prize money.
Last year, Dota 2‘s International 2013 almost reached $3 million, showing that esports isn’t just a fad. With this year’s surpassing $10 million, thanks to player funding, the International 2014 compares to the Super Bowl prize money this year of $9.9 million to the Seattle Seahawks. Last year’s World Series of Poker champion won $8.3 million. Esports tournament prize money looks like it’s just going to keep growing, but there’s no knowing whether it’ll reach the rewards of other team sports, like soccer. The winning team of this year’s World Cup will earn $35 million out of a total prize pool of $576 million.
In May, the prize money passed $4 million due to Valve’s release of the Compendium. A player’s $10 purchase of the Compendium contributes $2.50 to the International 2014 tournament. Since May, the prize pool has increased by $6 million, and Valve started it at $1.6 million.
In traditional crowdfunding style, accruing funds to the prize pool reach stretch goals to unlock rewards for each Compendium owner. The latest includes a Victory Prediction Taunt. With three weeks left to go, Valve could add more stretch goals now that the prize pool is over $10 million.
The International 2014 will be held in Seattle’s Key Arena from July 18 to 21. The move to a bigger hall and a significantly larger prize pool speaks to how esports continues to grow with support from fans.
Source: Dota 2
