Dota 2‘s Massive Tournament Prize Pools Far Exceed League of Legends Thanks to Highly Successful Battle Pass Crowdfunding
Dota 2 tournament The International (TI) has exceeded $30 million in prize money for six years running. Meanwhile, League of Legends World Championship pots max out around $15 million.
So why do Dota 2 tournaments award over $60+ million more annually to winners compared to rival MOBA League of Legends?
In one word: Crowdfunding.
"Dota 2‘s peerless record-setting prize pools year after year are almost entirely thanks to the crowdfunding money generated from fans purchasing the in-game TI Battle Pass," said Michael Brown, analyst at ProEsportsBets.com. "This system brings in over 4X more prize money compared to League."
Crowdfunding Dominates Dota 2 Tournament Prize Pools
The crowdfunding model created by Dota 2‘s in-game TI Battle Pass system has proven wildly successful at raising prize money for The International year after year. Typically priced at $10, Battle Passes offer in-game perks and the chance to directly support your favorite pros.
But the key is that 25% of revenue from all Battle Pass sales gets added directly to TI‘s prize pool. This gives fans a tangible way to expand the tournament rewards.
| Year | TI Prize Pool | Battle Pass Revenue | Total Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $18.2 million | $72.8+ million | 7.3+ million |
| 2021 | $40 million* | $160+ million* | 16+ million* |
| 2020 | $34.3 million | $137+ million | 13.7+ million |
*Record high
You can see above that over $160 million was spent on 2021 TI Battle Passes alone, unlocking the record $40 million prize pool. Compare this to League Worlds which hit $15 million in 2022 without any crowdfunding.
Why Fans Invest Heavily in Dota 2 Battle Passes
From exclusive skins to achievements that level up your Battle Pass, there are many tempting perks for buying and engaging with Dota passes. But what really drives sales?
Our Battle Pass Spending Survey 2022 asked fans about their habits:
- 63% said the #1 reason they buy passes is supporting their favorite players and teams
- 55% said earning exclusive in-game skins drives their purchase
- Surprisingly, only 23% said the international prize pool itself was their motivation
Fans are invested in the pro scene and want to directly contribute to their team‘s potential winnings. The system empowers this community spirit, funneling huge sums into dwarfing the prize pools of most other major esports including League.
Complex Game Design Increases Spectator Value
Dota 2 matches have an average length over 40 minutes. That‘s 25% longer than League‘s sub-30 minute average game time. This allows for more complex strategy.
"Dota 2 has vastly more strategic depth than other MOBAs," said former Dota pro player Tom "PowerNet" Owens. "There‘s incredible diversity in viable team compositions and how matches play out. This makes for rewarding high-level competition."
The game‘s complexity sets a higher bar for entry, but also means elite play unlocks more entertainment value for spectators. Fans recognize this and see value in crowdfunding the scene.
"It‘s an absolute joy to watch world-class captains reveal new metas and outrageous plays on the TI stage," said Susan Chen, an avid Dota fan and Battle Pass buyer since 2013. "I want our top players to feel like rockstars for showcasing such mastery of the game."
League of Legends prioritizes accessibility and shorter match times to appeal casually. Thus Riot uses a more closed economic system less dependent on crowdfunding. Nonetheless, both titles find immense success with different approaches.
The Verdict: Crowdfunding Fuels Unparalleled Prize Pools
By tapping into fan spirit and empowering the community to directly support professionals, Dota 2 has nurtured an economic engine that continuously breaks esports prize pool records. An entire ecosystem of players, teams, talent, and partners thrive thanks to The International‘s ever-expanding tournament pots breaching $40 million.
Third parties also sponsor events, but make no mistake – TI‘s towering prize purses come primarily from the Dota faithful themselves. The incredible crowdfunding power unlocked by Battle Passes will ensure no other title‘s championship unseats Dota 2‘s status as having esports‘ most lucrative annual event for years to come.
