After two weeks of intense Dota 2 action, The International 2024 has finally concluded, with Team Liquid emerging as the new champion. Against all odds, they claimed the Aegis of the Immortal after a dominant 3-0 victory over Gladiators in the Grand Finals, held in Denmark.
The Grand Final
Gladiators reached the final after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Tundra Esports in the Lower Bracket Final, which was undoubtedly one of the most exciting matches of the year. Tundra initially secured the first game, but Gladiators made an incredible comeback, winning the third and decisive game. This intense battle culminated with Gladiators, the reigning Riyadh Masters 2024 champions, advancing to the finals.
This set the stage for the sixth showdown between Team Liquid and Gladiators in the last two years, with Gladiators having always emerged victorious in their previous encounters. However, this time, the tide turned in Liquid’s favor.
After the announcement of the new hero, Kez, the Best of 5 Finals began. Gladiators tried to maintain the same aggressive style they showcased against Tundra, but Team Liquid’s calm and strategic approach forced Gladiators into making critical mistakes. Liquid won the first game after a comeback, building enough confidence to dominate the following games, ultimately securing the series with a 3-0 sweep.
A New Two-Time Champion
This final held particular significance due to the potential for historic achievements. With their win, Team Liquid joined the exclusive club of two-time The International champions, alongside OG and Team Spirit. However, what makes this accomplishment unique is that Team Liquid is the first organization to win with two entirely different rosters.
Their first victory came in 2017 when they defeated Newbee in the finals, with a lineup featuring MATUMBAMAN, Miracle, Mind_Control, Gh, and Kuroky. In contrast, the 2024 championship roster is entirely different, proving the organization’s ability to continuously perform at the highest level.
Source: Dota 2
33, one of Liquid’s key players, also made history. He became the first player to win The International with two different teams, having previously won with Tundra Esports in 2022.
Source: ESL
The Oldest Champion
Age has always been a debated factor in competitive Dota 2, but Insania, Team Liquid’s captain, proved that experience can triumph over youth. At 30 years old, Insania is now the oldest player to ever win The International, surpassing the previous record held by Sneyking, who was 27 when he won with Tundra in 2022.
Source: Team Liquid
First-Time Achievements
Nisha, often regarded as the standout player of The International 2024, not only earned the title of the best player but also became the first Polish player to win the tournament. This historic feat has further solidified his legacy in the Dota 2 scene.
Team Liquid also etched their name in the history books as the first team to win The International without losing a single series during the playoffs, demonstrating their dominance throughout the tournament.
Source: Team Liquid
Sweden: The Most Successful Dota 2 Nation
Winning isn’t just about the number of titles, but also about the number of champions a country produces. After Team Liquid’s victory, Sweden emerged as the country with the most International champions, boasting a total of eight players who have won the coveted Aegis of the Immortal. This puts them ahead of both Ukraine and Russia, which each have seven.
The International’s Viewership Numbers
The International remains one of the most-watched esports events every year, and 2024 was no exception. According to Escharts.com, The International 2024 became the fourth most-watched Dota 2 event in history, trailing only the tournaments held in 2021, 2019, and 2022.
Source: Escharts
The most viewed match of the tournament was, unsurprisingly, the Grand Final, which drew over 1.5 million viewers.
Source: The International
The Prize Pool
A frequent point of discussion around The International is its prize pool, which has significantly decreased in recent years. The International 2024 had a total prize pool of just over $2.5 million, a far cry from previous years. As a result, Team Liquid took home $1.1 million as champions.
Although this is not the smallest winning amount in the history of the tournament, it is among the lowest. To put things into perspective, if we adjust NAVI’s 2011 earnings to today’s inflation, Team Liquid’s reward is notably smaller than that of the Ukrainian team.
Team Liquid’s victory at The International 2024 marks a new era for the team and the Dota 2 competitive scene. With historic achievements and memorable performances, this tournament will be remembered as a testament to Team Liquid’s resilience and adaptability. As we eagerly await the next chapter, all eyes are on the upcoming PGL Wallachia Season 2 and potential roster changes across the Dota 2 landscape.