This week, Valve released the dates for their Spring Dota 2 Major (2017) and also for The International 7.
The Dota 2 Majors Timeline for 2017. #Dota2 https://t.co/sM8Dk3g6QG pic.twitter.com/0fvz3956Mn
— Wykrhm Reddy (@wykrhm) November 2, 2016
The Spring Major main event will take place between April 20th and April 23rd, 2017 and The International will hold its normal slot in the first half of August.
Previously, the Dota 2 schedule has often been considered hectic as 3rd party organisers struggle to book their events around the flagship events run by the developer.
Players and talent alike tend to prioritise Valve run events over all others and the Boston Major in December has clashes with DreamHack and The Summit which were both announced comfortably before Valve chose to reveal the dates of Boston. It led to The Summit cancelling and many top teams pulling out of DreamHack.
The Dota 2 scene is starting to move quickly in to a new season, with next months Boston Major the first Valve event of the new rotation. This year the rotation will be comprised of two majors and The International whereas last year it involved three majors.
Esports Insider: This is a hugely welcome move by Valve. Not only does it solve 3rd party organisers having to cancel events or risk losing top teams at the last minute; it also offers scope for new 3rd party organisers to enter the fray. It’s been called for for what seems an age but we finally have advance dates for some of Dota 2’s biggest tournaments.