The International (TI) is set to kick off tomorrow, marking the pinnacle of the Dota 2 competitive calendar. Historically known for its grandeur, TI has been the premier esports event, boasting massive prize pools, sold-out arenas, and extravagant stage shows. However, recent years have seen a decline in the tournament's scale, with this year's edition poised to be the smallest yet.
The impact of the pandemic has been significant, leading to the postponement of the 2020 event and the 2021 tournament being held behind closed doors. As a result, the scale of The International has been gradually reduced, with Valve, the developers, reportedly taking a more hands-off approach each year.
