The fierce rivalry between two giants of the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) gaming world, League of Legends and Dota 2, is no secret to passionate fans. For over a decade, Dota 2's flagship tournament, The International (TI), has consistently outpaced League of Legends' World Championship in terms of prize money. However, 2023 might mark a historic turning point as the League of Legends World Championship prepares to challenge TI12's prize pool supremacy.

League of Legends World Championship 2023 Prize Pool

As of now, TI12 boasts a prize pool nearing $3 million, while the League of Legends World Championship 2023 begins with an initial allocation of $2.25 million. The critical factor in this potential shift lies in Riot Games' strategy for boosting their championship's prize pool. Riot Games recently unveiled a range of in-game items and bundles for the event, with a portion of the proceeds set to bolster the prize money, giving it a competitive edge.

Comparatively, TI12's growth has been sluggish this year, largely attributed to a lack of popular in-game items like Arcanas and Immortal Treasures. In contrast, the League of Legends World Championship 2023 has taken a proactive approach by introducing the Worlds 2023 in-game event, offering players a chance to contribute to the prize pool while enjoying cosmetic items and bundles. These include the Worlds 2023 Pass Bundle, Premium Pass Bundle, and the exclusive Worlds 2023 Renekton skin.

While TI12 and the League of Legends World Championship 2023 both overlap in dates, the latter enjoys an extended timeline, spanning from October 10th to November 19th, 2023, with the event's conclusion on December 4th. This extended duration provides League of Legends with a significant opportunity to generate more revenue and potentially surpass TI12's prize pool before the competition ends on October 19th.

For the past 11 years, Dota 2's The International has consistently overshadowed League of Legends' World Championship, fostering immense interest and support for Dota 2. Despite League of Legends' substantial player and viewer base, it has struggled to compete in terms of prize money. However, the stage seems set for a paradigm shift in 2023, as League of Legends seeks to rewrite history and challenge Dota 2's dominance in esports.