Will TI11 Be Held in Singapore? Teasers From Valve Emerge

Update: During the main event of the ESL One Stockholm Major 2022, Valve confirmed that Singapore will host The International 2022 (TI11).

Original Article:

Earlier today, Dota 2 fans were treated to rare social media posts from the official Dota 2 twitter handle. It showcased Dota 2 hero figurines traveling to a cryptic location. Many speculations on what this could mean emerged, with some theorizing that this could be a teaser of a new Battle Pass while others thought that this could mean the opening of Valve’s Secret Shop where players could purchase Dota 2 memorabilia or other gear.

However, the majority of Dota 2 fans agreed that this was likely a tease of the location of The International 11 (TI11), which could potentially be held in Singapore.

Valve’s teasers indicate that Singapore could host TI11

Valve’s first post showed five figurines (Phoenix, Tusk, Spirit Breaker, Rubick and Bloodseeker) traveling via an airplane and then a car, with a cryptic caption that read “Too long cooped up inside the base. Grab the gang — wing it to some other place.”

Twitter user @LordOfTheKappas pointed out that the pictures of these seats were similar to the ones found on the Business Class Layout of Singapore Airlines, raising the possibility that Valve was teasing something about Singapore.

Shortly after, Valve posted yet another Tweet, this time showcasing the hero figurines chilling near some greenery and a pond. The caption was a haiku that read: "Take a sec. Enjoy the view. Recharge yourself — the real you."

Alliance’s new assistant coach, Leon Arthur stated that these images of the heroes near the greenery were taken in Singapore’s “Gardens by the Bay.”

The final image that shows the Sand King figurine with a golf ball could be from the Marina Bay Golf Course, which is just on the other side of the bay indicating that the tournament could be hosted in the popular integrated resort.

However, Valve is yet to make any official announcements regarding TI11. So hold your horses on booking those flight tickets and making those hotel reservations. Considering that the ESL One Stockholm Major 2022 is coming to a close this weekend, Valve could make an official announcement at this event. So keep your eyes tuned in on the playoffs.

Singapore previously played host to ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021, the first major of the 2021 Dota Pro Circuit season. However, the tournament was held behind closed doors and hence did not feature a live audience. The last SEA Major to have had a live audience is the Kuala Lumpur Major 2018 which was hosted in Malaysia.

In its ten year history, The International has never been hosted in Southeast Asia which will make TI11 a historic one if Singapore indeed hosts one. The SEA region has always been known for its rapturous crowds and certainly deserves the opportunity to host a TI, considering its history and passionate audience.