The format for TI has been changed since last year, here you can find everything you need to know about the brand-new TI format.
Since The International 2023 (TI12), the format of DOTA 2's biggest tournament has changed. The International 2024 (TI13) continues with this new structure and brings some adjustments. Here you will find all the details you need about the old and new TI formats.
The current TI13 format
This year, TI13 has brought back direct invitations. Six top teams from around the world received direct invites: Team Spirit, Xtreme Gaming, Team Falcons, Team Liquid, Gaimin Gladiators, and BB Team. The remaining ten teams qualified through regional tournaments.
These teams come from Western Europe, China, Southeast Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, and North America.
The TI13 tournament is divided into three main stages: the Group Stage, the Seeding Decider, and the Main Event.
Group Stage (September 4 - 5)
The 16 teams are divided into four groups of four teams each. They play a round-robin format with best-of-two matches. No teams are eliminated at this stage. The results only determine whether a team finishes in the top two or bottom two of their group.
Seeding Decider (September 6 - 7)
Based on the group stage results, the first-place team from each group picks an opponent from another group’s third or fourth-place teams. The second-place team faces the remaining team. All matches are Bo3, and winners go to the upper bracket of the playoffs, while losers go to the lower bracket.
Main Event (September 8 - 15)
The part is also known as playoffs, they are still using the double-elimination format and all matches are Bo3 except for the grand final. After the top eight are decided on September 10, there will be a two-day break. The final three days (September 13 - 15) will be held in LAN at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen. Notably, only these last three days are called "The International" now. The earlier days are part of the "Road to The International."
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Differences from previous TI format
Before the changes last year, TI group stages always had two groups. The top four teams from each group advanced to the upper bracket, while the 5th to 8th place teams went to the lower bracket. The remaining teams were eliminated in the group stage.
Last year's TI12 format was similar to this year’s TI13, but with some differences. The International 2023 had 20 teams, with five teams in each group. The last-place team in each group was eliminated. This year, TI13 has 16 teams, and no team will be eliminated in the group stage. All teams will move on to the next phase.
Here is a comparison chart of the different TI formats:
Format | TI before changes | TI12 | TI13 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Direct invites or DPC rankings + Qualifiers | DPC rankings+ Qualifiers | Direct invites + Qualifiers |
| Group Stage | Two groups, teams eliminated | Four groups, teams eliminated | Four groups, no teams eliminated |
| Seeding Decider | None (based on group results) | Yes | Yes |
| Playoffs | Double elimination | Double elimination | Double elimination |
The current TI format significantly reduces the number of matches while making the overall competition more intense and exciting. Whether this change is effective or not may take a few more years to see.
The TI13 group stage has now finished, and the Seeding Decider phase is about to begin. We're eagerly looking forward to it!
Stay tuned to esports.gg for more Dota 2 news and updates during The International 2024!
