Group Stage action begins with TNC Pro Gaming vs Evil Geniuses, Team Liquid vs iG Vitality, LGD Gaming vs Fnatic and Team Secret vs Team Empire
Stream One, Evil Geniuses vs TNC Pro Team
Stream Two, Team Liquid vs iG Vitality
Stream Three, LGD Gaming vs Fnatic
Stream Four, Team Secret vs Team Empire
One Year Tn The Making
It’s been a year since Wings Gaming shocked the world with their run to win The International 2016. This year has not been kind to the TI6 champions, the entire roster left their organization in April and now their members find themselves divided between Eclipse, EHOME or in free agency. Digit Chaos didn’t fare much better after they finished second, the entire roster was let go from DC and those players went on to form Thunderbirds. While they did manage to get picked up by the Planet Odd organization that whole roster was let go as of August 1st, 2017. Evil Geniuses took their third place finish to heart, they quickly made roster changes by adding Arteezy & Cr1t. Fnatic also underwent roster moves in 2017 but they have not had the success of EG.
This year Valve reduced the number of Valve-backed Majors from three to two. The Boston Major kicked off in December with a much derided single elimination format. Despite the change the result was typical, Team OG took the win after a surprising run from Ad Finem (who went on to get signed by mousesports). The Kiev major proved to be one of the most eventful tournaments of the year. SG e-sports, after finishing last in the group stage and winning only 1 game in their 3 matches; shocked the world by taking down Team Secret 2-1 in the first round of the bracket. SG e-sports would only take one game from Evil Geniuses in the second round but the damage to Team Secret already made them legends in their own right. Despite a solid run from Virtus.Pro Team OG would win yet another major, garnering their fourth victory at Valve sponsored tournaments.
Valve announced significant changes for the 2017-2018 competitive season. After seeing community feedback Valve decided to create a new system of Major and Minor tournaments for next year. Major tournaments are those that feature a prize pool of at least $500K while Minors must have a prize pool of at least $150K. Valve will be adding $500K to the prize pool of every Major tournament. Both types of tournaments will be required to have qualifiers for each of the Valve designated primary regions of North America, South America, Commonwealth of Independent States, Europe, Southeast Asia and China. Most importantly, Valve have decided to change how teams qualify for the next International event. Winners of Majors and Minors will be given qualifying points, the 16 highest points earners will be going to the next International, regardless of region.
Only One Will Raise the Aegis of Champions
Today’s live stream begins with Group A action, TNC Pro Team vs Evil Geniuses. TNC Pro Team earned their spot here by tearing through the Southeast Asian Qualifiers, dropping only one of their games. Evil Geniuses earned a direct invitation to The International after a stellar year which includes a victory at the Manila Masters and a second place finish at EPICENTER 2017. The second scheduled match for today is Team Liquid vs iG Vitality. Team Liquid also earned a direct invitation and are coming into the International red hot after their victories at EPICENTER 2017, DreamLeague Season 7 and the StarLadder i-League Invitational 2. iG Vitality is one of three teams to attend The International from the Chinese Qualifier, iG Vitality finished first at that event. For fans looking to watch every game in the tournament you can find the complete schedule of today’s action here.