SWEDEN LOSES DOTA 2 INTERNATIONAL 10 TO ROMANIA

Dota 2’s The International 10 (TI10) is now planned to be held in Bucharest, Romania, instead of Stockholm, Sweden, this October.

As previously reported, Valve, Dota 2’s publisher, had said it was looking for an alternative location after the Swedish Sports Federation’s decision not to accept esports threw the original plans into disarray. 

Specifically, the Swedish Sports Federation’s vote against accepting esports meant TI10 would not be classified as an elite sporting event, and thus visa applications for players from outside the EU would not be subject to automatic approval. 

TI10’s group stage is now scheduled to run from 7-10 October, with the main stage commencing on 12 October, and the finals held on 17 October, at Bucharest’s Arena Nationala. 

Commenting on the news, a Valve spokesperson said: “We are grateful for the partnership we have formed with Romania and the city of Bucharest, and very much look forward to gathering with the global Dota 2 community, both in-person and virtually, to celebrate the elite players and amazing fandom at The International. Prepare yourselves.”

AYO.NEWS says:

As we said previously, it seems incredible that Swedish authorities were willing to lose an event like this over visa technicalities. Still, Sweden’s loss is Romania’s gain, and we’re sure Bucharest will give a warm welcome to everyone involved.