Will there be a Dota 2 battle pass in 2025? Rumors keep growing as TI14 draws near

As The International 2025 (TI14) draws closer, the Dota 2 community is buzzing again with speculation over whether Valve will revive the once-iconic battle pass. The battle pass used to be synonymous with the lead-up to TI, but it has been noticeably absent in recent years, and Valve’s silence only adds to the mystery.

The battle pass played a major role in Dota 2’s rise as an esports powerhouse. From 2013 to 2022, it served as both a cosmetic content drop and a prize pool fundraiser for TI. Its most successful iteration came in 2020, when the TI10 battle pass helped raise a staggering $40 million, the highest prize pool in esports history. However, Valve shifted direction in 2023 with a compendium to replace the battle pass, and it hasn’t been the same ever since.

Valve began experimenting with new seasonal content, starting with Nemestice in 2021 and bringing back Diretide in 2022. These events, while creatively designed, lacked the reward structure and progression system players had come to expect. In 2024, the Crownfall event introduced narrative-driven updates but did not contribute to TI’s prize pool.

The lack of a battle pass to fund the prize pool of The International led to it featuring a prize pool of less than $4 million in 2024, something that happened for the first time since 2013, when Valve first launched the battle pass. It remains to be seen whether there will be a battle pass for TI14 in 2025 or not, as Valve has yet to make any comments on the topic.

However, recent updates have included unfinished UI elements and cosmetic references suggesting Valve might be toying with battle pass-style systems again. While these discoveries have sparked fresh rumors, nothing concrete has emerged from Valve.

The Dota 2 subreddit and various community forums have been buzzing with speculation. Some fans believe a late announcement may be in the cards, possibly timed with a new seasonal event to be revealed in August. Others argue that Valve has fully moved on from the battle pass era, especially after the backlash over repetitive formats and “grind fatigue” in previous years.

It’s also important to point out that the removal of the battle pass hasn’t necessarily damaged the competitive scene in the long term. While prize pools are smaller, Valve has shown a growing interest in direct funding and long-term ecosystem support, including more consistent tournament circuits and regional events. Nevertheless, the absence of a battle pass has undeniably reduced the sense of hype and community engagement leading into The International.

With less than three months to go before TI14, fans are watching closely. Whether it’s a surprise launch or a complete no-show, one thing is certain: Valve’s decision will shape the tournament and the ongoing relationship between Dota 2 and its community.