Valve unveil schedule for The International 2026

Valve has revealed the first details of The International 2026. Dota 2’s premier event of the year will once again bring together the world’s strongest teams, who compete throughout the season for a chance to claim the Aegis of the Champions.

This year, the decisive stage of the championship will take place in Shanghai. The Oriental Sports Center will host the final matches, scheduled for August 20–23. The tournament will also mark a milestone, celebrating its 15th anniversary.

A total of 16 teams will compete for the trophy. Some squads will receive direct invitations, while others will advance through a two-stage qualification system: open qualifiers are set for June 9–12, followed by regional qualifiers from June 15–28.

The main event will begin with a Swiss-format group stage running from August 13–16. Based on those results, eight teams will advance to the playoffs to continue their fight for the title. Ticket information for the final stage will be announced at a later date.