- What: The International Dota 2 Championships 2023
- Date: October 12 – October 29, 2023
- Location: Seattle Convention Center’s Summit and Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA
- How to watch: Twitch, YouTube
The final tournament of the 2023 Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) takes place between October 12 and October 29 in Seattle, as 20 of the best Dota 2 teams in the world compete at The International 2023. Last year, Tundra Esports took home first place at The International. The winning team pocketed $8.5 million of a prize pool that equaled nearly $19 million.
The field for The International 2023 is made up of 12 teams that received direct invitations to the event and eight teams that qualified via the six Regional Qualifiers, which were held in August. Here are the teams competing: Team Liquid, Gaimin Gladiators, Tundra Esports, Evil Geniuses, 9Pandas, PSG.LGD, Shopify Rebellion, Talon Esports, Beastcoast, Team Spirit, TSM, BetBoom Team, Nouns, Azure Ray, Keyd Stars, Thunder Awaken, Entity, Virtus.pro,Team SMG, and Quest Esports.
The Road to The International features the Group Stage and the Playoffs of the event, while The International portion of the tournament features the final eight teams. The Group Stage features four round-robin groups playing in a best-of-five format. The second phase of the Group Stage will feature the 16 best teams. They will play head-to-head to determine the Playoff seeding. The Playoffs are best of three matches, and The International consists of an eight-team double-elimination bracket playing a best of three series. The Grand Final is best-of-five.
Before we look at the betting favorites to win The International 2023, check out the best betting sites for Dota 2 and the best sports betting apps and mobile options.
Dota 2 The International 2023 betting picks
Team Spirit
Team Spirit had a disappointing finish last year at The International, bowing out in 13th-16th place. What made that placing hurt more for the Russian team is that they were coming off a win at The International in 2021. Team Spirit bounced back from its finish at the 2022 International in 2023, winning the Riyadh Masters 2023 event for $5 million in July of this year and then picking up first place at DreamLeague Season 21 in late September.
Most of Team Spirit has been together since 2020, but the team picked up Larl in December 2022.
Gaimin Gladiators
Playing out of Europe, Gaimin Gladiators were on a roll in 2023. Heading into the Riyadh Masters 2023 event, the club had won five straight Dota 2 events: Lima Major 2023, DreamLeague Season 19, ESL One Berlin Major 2023, DreamLeague Season 20, and Bali Major 2023. With those victories, Gaimin Gladiators earned over $1 million in prize money. The team’s winning streak ended at the Riyadh Masters when they came in fourth after losing to Talon Esports in the Lower Bracket Semifinals. Gaimin Gladiators bounced back from that setback by winning at BetBoom Dacha in September. However, the team’s most recent finish was 7th-8th at DreamLeague Season 21.
Gaimin Gladiators joined the Dota 2 circuit in February 2022. They placed 9th-12th at The International 2022.
Team Liquid
One of the best Dota 2 teams in the world, Team Liquid has had a frustrating 2023. After finishing 3rd at The International 2022 in October of last year, the European club did not win an event this year. That’s not to say Team Liquid has played bad, they are always in the mix, they just can’t seem to get over the hump and pick up a tournament win.
Team Liquid has struggled to get past Gaimin Gladiators, finishing second to their rival at Lima Major 2023, ESL One Berlin Major 2023, and Bali Major 2023. More recently, Team Liquid placed second to Team Spirit at the Riyadh Masters 2023.
I would not write off Team Liquid ahead of The International 2023.
Best bets for Dota 2 The International 2023
Team Spirit and Gaimin Gladiators both head into The International 2023 with a lot of momentum, and that’s why they are the betting favorites, And while Gaimin Gladiators have been dominant in 2023, they are not my pick to win this tournament. My betting pick for The International 2023 is Team Spirit to win.
Best betting pick for Dota 2 The International 2023: Team Spirit to win.
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