Dota 2: The International 2016 prize pool now over $10 million

The biggest Dota 2 tournament of the year, The International 2016, has already broken past the $10 million barrier for prize pool money.

Valve has been raising money for The International 2016 for just over a couple of weeks now, but they have already hit a prize pool funding milestone in record time. As reported by theScore, the Dota 2 tournament now offers a prize pool of more than $10 million, achieving that funding level in just 18 days. Valve has been raising money for the tournament by selling Battle Passes at $9.99 USD for Level 1 and $26.99 USD for Level 50, with 25 percent of sales going to the prize pool.

Previous The International tournaments took a lot longer to reach that prize pool level, something to be expected in the first attempts at creating a new type of Dota 2 tournament. Last year it took 31 days, while the inaugural tournament took 39 days to raise that money.

With a strong base of $1.6 million that Valve started with, the shift in fundraising focus for The International 2016 has gone toward expanding the rewards for the Dota 2 community. In addition to purchasing levels at $2.49 for five, $4.99 for 11 and $9.99 for 24, Community Quests are offered to pass owners. As challenges are completed in winning matches, the community progress bar is filled, offering three fireballs to drop in Lina’s Battle Blaze.

Further incentives for Dota 2 Battle Pass owners are given if The International 2016 surpasses’ last year’s prize pool total of $18,429,613. If this is accomplished, every Battle Pass owner will receive three “Trust of the Benefactor” rewards. Special limited-run, in-game items are up for grabs, including sets and 2016 Immortal Treasure. You can read up on the other Battle Pass incentives on the Dota 2 website.

The International 2016’s main event broadcast will be hosted in Seattle, and run from August 8th to the 11th.

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