Valve’s annual TI faces another dilemma after Sweden denies recognition
Dota 2 developer Valve Corporation has announced today that the event might be relocated to a new venue, and possibly even rescheduled, as the Swedish Sports Federation voted not to accept esports into the sports federation.
“Over the course of the past year, Stockholm Live and Visit Stockholm continued to reassure us in our regular and constant communications with them that The International-Dota 2 Championships (TI) qualified for the same exemptions other elite sporting events there received,” Valve said in its post.
“However, despite previous reassurances, we were informed two weeks ago that the Swedish Sports Federation had just voted not to accept esports into the sports federation,” it added.
Valve stated that it has appealed to Sweden’s Minister of Interior to classify TI10 as an elite sporting event so that it may still be held in the country, however, the request was immediately denied.
The company also said that they have directly voiced their concerns and pleas to the Swedish government, but have not yet been able to offer them any alternatives.
The annual competition was initially planned to be held at the Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden after getting postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The International is famous for its big prize pools and its number of attendees during the event, with its recent iteration having $40,018,195 in total prize money.
While there are bumps on the road in organizing their annual event, Valve assures its fans that it will still be pushed through this year.
“We remain committed to hosting The International this year in a way that is both safe for all involved, and properly celebrates the players and fans of Dota 2. We will be communicating what we find out as soon as we are able. In the meantime, TI qualifiers will still be happening on the originally scheduled dates starting June 23. And later this week the all-new summer event, Nemestice, will arrive.”
(Images from the Dota 2 Official Website)