The International 2026 Dota 2 championship to debut in Shanghai

The Dota 2 world championship, The International 2026, is scheduled to begin on August 13 in Shanghai, China. The tournament will feature 16 professional teams competing for the Aegis of Champions, with group stages running from August 13 to 16 using a Swiss-style format. The final eight teams will advance to the main event at the SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center from August 20 to 23.

Several players are set to make their first appearance at the event. Among the notable debutants is Arman “Malady” Orazbayev of Team Yandex, a Kazakhstani support player who previously faced a denied opportunity to compete in 2025 due to organizational withdrawal. Alexey “not me” Kosmin from Team Spirit is also among the new talents entering the tournament stage.