Esports have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many leagues have figured out ways to do digital events instead, but some games that were built around conventions have struggled more than others, and Dota 2 is one of those competitive scenes. The delay and then cancellation of The International 2020 has been particularly devastating, and according to Valve, it doesn't sound like the biggest esports tournament in the world is coming back any time soon.
In a lengthy blog post on the official Dota 2 website, Valve goes into detail regarding the challenges and mistakes revolving around the 2020 competitive scene. Buried in the post is one striking detail, as Valve makes an estimate regarding when The International will return. It isn't in 2020, and it's not even in the first half of 2021. Valve says that it is "working under the assumption" that The International will return in August 2021, located in Stockholm.
The details regarding the next The International tournament aren't entirely surprising. Valve wants to have a live event for The International, which makes clear that the tournament won't be happening anytime soon. An August 2021 date provides ample time for vaccines to be shared worldwide, but more importantly, it's just the typical date that Valve holds The International. In effect, Valve is saying that it won't be holding The International for 2020 and will pick up from 2021 as if the current year didn't happen.
In addition to The International in 2021, Valve is also hoping for a more regular schedule for the Dota Pro Circuit for the next year. Valve even goes so far as to explain that seven third-party events are tentatively planned for 2021's Dota Pro Circuit so far. There will be at least four in EU/CIS and three in China. Others are in the works, but are not yet confirmed. Valve hopes that by the time the first event of 2021 ends, traveling will be much simpler and straight forward.
Valve also admits some fault regarding how the 2020 season concluded, saying that Dota 2 fans brought up a variety of reasonable criticism. Specifically, fans were frustrated with regards to Valve's plans for the Dota Pro Circuit and The International and how little communication was done about them. Today's information was shared, in part, to remedy that lack of communication.
The answer from Valve regarding upcoming Dota 2 plans isn't likely going to sate any frustrations from fans. The decision to delay competitive Dota 2 into 2021 is understandable, but it still stings, just like so many of the cancelations of 2020 already have. That's just the way things are this year, however.
Dota 2 is available now on PC.