Valve announces the cancellation of ticket sales for The International 2021 (aka The International 10). The upcoming Dota 2 championship will not have a live audience due to rising COVID-19 rates in Romania. Refunds are being issued to those who have already purchased tickets. The good news for those looking forward to the competition is that the now audience-free event is still planned to kick off on Thursday:

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.