Valve has issued a statement detailing challenges related to visa acquisition for players and staff which may necessitate the relocation of Dota 2’s biggest tournament.
According to the statement, the Swedish Sports Federation recently voted not to accept esports, which prevents The International from receiving visa exceptions provided to sporting events. Multiple appeals of this decision and other measures including asking the country’s Minister of the Interior to reclassify the event have all been denied.
Valve has begun to explore alternative locations in Europe to host the event and stated that currently, qualifiers will continue as scheduled.
The International was originally planned to take place in Sweden in 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, Valve announced the event would take place on Aug. 10-15 in Stockholm.
