Official news: The International 10 will be held without spectators
Overnight, Valve released a statement regarding the upcoming The International 10. The tournament will be held without spectators. The decision was made due to a new outbreak of coronavirus in Romania. The organizer will refund the cost of purchased tickets.
Official Valve’s letter:
We have been carefully evaluating the continued rise of Covid rates in Romania, as well as the resulting introduction of new local restrictions in Bucharest. To ensure the safety of all players, talent, and production staff participating in the event, we have decided to refund all ticket sales for The International 2021.
We wanted nothing more than to welcome fans live to the event, but we can no longer do so in a way that allows us to prioritize the health and well-being of both audience members and participants. Those who purchased tickets will be issued a full refund automatically.
The International 2021 will begin as planned on October 7, and we look forward to welcoming the best Dota teams in the world to the stage and sharing the experience online with millions of fans around the world.
In August 2021, a new wave of coronavirus infections began in Romania. On September 29, there was a daily record — more than 11,000 infections registered. According to statistics, just over a quarter of the country's population has been vaccinated.
The International 10 starts in 4 days. The tournament takes place October 7-17 in Romania and features 18 teams from different regions to compete for the title of champion and a prize of $40,018,195.