The International 2023 is likely to return to the US

Rumors about the location of the next The International tournament were already circulating back in November, but according to the latest reports, the biggest Dota 2 tournament will return to the USA in 2023, specifically to Seattle. Although there hasn’t been any confirmation from Valve yet, one of the most popular voice actors in the Dota 2 scene has now leaked the next location of the International.

This would mark the tournament’s first return to North America since 2018. After The International took place in Singapore last year and TI9 was also held in Shanghai, Valve is possibly bringing the big Dota event back to the western hemisphere.

Here’s all the information we know!

The International 2023 to take place in Seattle

If the rumors are true and The International is indeed returning to Seattle, it would be the first TI in North America since 2018 and the first in the US since 2017. But apparently, the sources are trustworthy because now popular voice actor for Dota, John Patrick Lowrie, also has the location betrayed for the next International.

Lowrie is the man who brought his voice to life on Earthshaker, Storm Spirit, Pudge and The International. He has now spoken on his Facebook page about the upcoming Dota 2 events he will be attending this year.

Is Valve trying to make Dota popular again in the US? Interest in the esports title is said to have dwindled in the region, and perhaps this is a way to rekindle fan interest.

Location not leaked for the first time

This isn’t the first time this information has been leaked, as hints of a possible return to Seattle have been raised since TI11 ended last October. But because Lowrie has now shared the info publicly and hasn’t deleted the post, one has a feeling these leaks are true.

TI first took place at Gamescom 2011 in Germany before relocating and staying in Seattle from 2012 to 2017. If true, the finals of the tournament will return to the Climate Pledge Arena, formerly KeyArena.

Lowrie’s post is also the first “confirmation” that Valve is likely to host the International again in October, following October’s TI11 for the second straight year. We don’t have any dates yet, but if the current DPC season follows the same model as last year’s, the event should run from October 15 to October 30, depending on what the format of the tournament will be.

Header: Valve