Who Won The International and Who is the Top Contender in 2024?

The International (TI) is the largest and most prestigious Dota 2 tournament, gathering the best players and teams from around the world every year. Since its inception in 2011, TI has become a true test of endurance for all participants, and its winners have entered history as the greatest champions in esports. Each of the teams that have won The International has gone through grueling challenges, overcoming their opponents in intense and spectacular finals.

The International Winners

Over the years, The International has thrilled audiences with incredible matches and exciting finals. Let's take a look at who became the champions of this tournament from 2011 to 2023 and whom they defeated in the decisive match.

1. 2011: The first International was held in Cologne, Germany. The Ukrainian team Natus Vincere (Na'Vi) emerged victorious, defeating the Chinese team EHOME in the final.

2. 2012: In 2012, the tournament moved to Seattle, USA. The Chinese team Invictus Gaming (iG) became the champion, defeating the previous year's winners Na'Vi in the final.

3. 2013: For the third consecutive year, The International took place in Seattle. This time, the Swedish team Alliance claimed victory, defeating Na'Vi in the final.

4. 2014: The Chinese team Newbee emerged victorious in the final, defeating their fellow countrymen from Vici Gaming.

5. 2015: The American team Evil Geniuses became the champions, defeating the Chinese team CDEC Gaming in the final.

6. 2016: The Chinese team Wings Gaming claimed victory, defeating Digital Chaos in the final.

7. 2017: The European team Team Liquid emerged victorious, defeating Newbee in the final.

8. 2018: This year, the European team OG became the champion, defeating PSG.LGD in a dramatic final.

9. 2019: OG became the first team to defend their title, once again defeating Team Liquid.

10. 2020: The tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the first time in TI's history.

11. 2021: After a year-long break, the tournament returned, and the Russian team Team Spirit claimed victory by defeating PSG.LGD.

12. 2022: The champions were Tundra Esports, who defeated Team Secret in the final.

13. 2023: In this year's final, Team Spirit faced Gaimin Gladiators. Team Spirit won again, earning their second title.

The International Winners Table

Who Are the Main Contenders for The International 2024

The International 2024 promises to be one of the most exciting events in the world of Dota 2. Several teams stand out as potential contenders for the title, but the main favorite is undoubtedly Team Spirit. This team has already won TI twice, and their latest victory in 2023 proved that they are ready to fight for the title once again. The main reasons why Team Spirit is considered the top contender are:

• Resilience and Experience: Team Spirit demonstrates excellent coordination and tactical flexibility, allowing them to adapt to any changes in the meta.

• Consistent Growth: The team continuously improves their game, learning from their mistakes and implementing new strategies.

• Mental Fortitude: Their experience of winning such major tournaments helps them maintain confidence and composure in the most tense situations.

However, we should not overlook other strong contenders:

• PSG.LGD: The Chinese team is regularly among the favorites at TI due to their high level of individual skill and team play. PSG.LGD showcases outstanding strategic capabilities and has extensive experience in reaching The International finals. They are known for their precise and coordinated execution, making them a serious threat to any opponent.

• Gaimin Gladiators: In recent years, this team has significantly improved their performance and achieved remarkable results in major tournaments. Gaimin Gladiators are known for their aggressive playstyle and unconventional strategies, often leading to surprising outcomes. This team can adapt to any circumstances, making them strong contenders for the title.

• Tundra Esports: The winners of TI 2022 have shown that their approach to the game, based on innovative strategies and deep analysis, can lead to victory in the biggest tournaments. They are distinguished by their unique playstyle and ability to find weaknesses in the opponent's defense. These qualities make Tundra Esports one of the main contenders for victory in 2024.

As The International 2024 approaches, all eyes will be on these teams, and only time will tell who will lift the coveted Aegis of Champions this time.

Expert Opinions on the Potential Winner of The International 2024

As the anticipation for The International 2024 reaches its peak, the Dota 2 community is filled with predictions and analyses from experts, players, and coaches on who might lift the Aegis of Champions this year. Here’s what some of the biggest names in the scene have to say:

• Peter "ppd" Dager – The legendary winner of The International 2015 and former captain of Evil Geniuses has named his top contenders for TI13. According to ppd, "My top 3 teams are Team Spirit, Gaimin Gladiators, and Team Falcons. My main pick for TI2024 is Team Spirit. They have a proven track record and the experience needed to succeed on the big stage. If they gain momentum, they will be unstoppable." Ppd’s confidence in Team Spirit comes from their consistent performance and ability to thrive under pressure.

• Jared "Nomad" Bajina – A well-known Dota 2 commentator, Nomad is rooting for an underdog story at TI13. "I’d go with 1win because I think they're a huge underdog that has the power to upset. We saw them make a surprisingly deep run in Elite League Season 2, so I think the evidence of their skill is there, and TI has a tendency to turn underdogs into under-wolves."

• Maurice "KheZu" Gutmann – A former pro player turned talent, KheZu has his heart set on Gaimin Gladiators: "I think Gaimin Gladiators will win. The next contenders for me are Team Spirit and Team Falcons, but my gut is telling me it will be Gaimin. They failed last year, but this patch and the pace should be good for them."

• Troels Lyngholt "syndereN" Nielsen – One of the finest minds in Dota 2, syndereN provides a nuanced take: "I think the field is extremely close this year with various winners of the tier 1 tournaments. Falcons probably have the highest average placement out of all of them, but it doesn't feel like they're significantly enough ahead of the competition to confidently consider them a clear favorite."

• Benjamin "Bkop" Kopilow – An American Dota 2 caster, Bkop believes in the potential of Xtreme Gaming: "I believe that Xtreme Gaming is going to win TI. It feels like they are always on the cusp of winning and have used up all their bad luck in the events gone by. This time around, Ame will lead them on to an amazing run with an immaculate group stage and an upper bracket run for the ages. Finally, it'll be China’s year in Dota 2 again and all will be right in the world."

• Natalie "Nattea" Mahoney – The charismatic Australian Dota 2 host is backing Europe to claim the title: "I think Gaimin Gladiators are best in situations like this, where they have a playstyle that is tough to quickly find solutions to, so for me, it'll either be them or Team Falcons, who have shown in the past that they can figure out patches faster than most teams and gain an advantage that way."

• Mike "MLPDota" Le Phoenix – A popular face in the Southeast Asia Dota 2 scene, MLPDota is confident in Team Falcons: "I think Team Falcons will win this TI year. Their roster is one of the most talented we've seen in a while. They'll be the best team at adapting to the new meta, as they've shown through multiple tournaments already."

The diversity of opinions highlights the competitiveness of The International 2024. While Team Spirit, Gaimin Gladiators, and Team Falcons are frequently mentioned, the tournament remains open, with multiple teams capable of claiming the title. As the Dota 2 community watches closely, the event promises to deliver thrilling surprises and unforgettable moments.