The International 2026 (TI 2026) — Dota 2 Championship Guide

What is The International?

The International (TI) is Dota 2's annual world championship tournament, organized by Valve. It is the most prestigious event in Dota 2 esports and one of the biggest esports tournaments in the world.

TI is famous for its massive prize pool, which is partially crowdfunded by the community through the Compendium (previously known as the Battle Pass). 25% of all Compendium purchases go directly to the prize pool, which has grown to over $40 million in some years.

This guide covers everything you need to know about The International 2026 — how the tournament works, which teams qualify, where to watch, and what makes TI special.

Tournament Format

The International typically features two main stages: the Group Stage and the Main Event.

**Group Stage:** - Teams are divided into groups (usually two groups of 9-10 teams) - Round-robin format — each team plays every other team in their group - Matches are typically best-of-2 or best-of-1 series - The top teams from each group advance to the Upper Bracket of the Main Event - Middle teams advance to the Lower Bracket - The bottom teams are eliminated

**Main Event:** - Double elimination bracket (upper bracket and lower bracket) - Most matches are best-of-3 - The Grand Finals are best-of-5 - Upper bracket teams have an advantage — they get a second chance in the lower bracket if they lose - Lower bracket teams have to fight their way through elimination matches - The Grand Finals pit the upper bracket winner against the lower bracket winner

**Wild Cards:** Some years include a Wild Card stage at the start of the tournament where lower-seeded teams play for a spot in the Group Stage.

Format details can vary from year to year. Valve occasionally adjusts the format to improve viewing experience and competitive integrity.

How Teams Qualify

Teams qualify for The International through the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC), the official Dota 2 competitive circuit.

**The Dota Pro Circuit (DPC):** The DPC is a year-long competitive season consisting of:

- **Regional Leagues:** Teams from 6 regions (Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Southeast Asia, China) compete in their regional leagues in 3 tours throughout the year. - **Majors:** The top teams from each regional league advance to international Major tournaments. Majors have larger prize pools and more DPC points. - **DPC Points:** Teams earn DPC points based on their performance in Regional Leagues and Majors. At the end of the season, the teams with the most DPC points earn direct invitations to The International.

**Qualification Paths:**

1. **Direct Invitation (DPC Points):** The top 12 teams in the DPC rankings at the end of the season receive direct invitations to TI.

2. **Regional Qualifiers:** Each region holds a qualifier tournament. The winner of each regional qualifier earns a spot at TI. This gives teams that did not earn enough DPC points another chance.

3. **Wild Card (if applicable):** In some years, additional teams qualify through a Wild Card system.

The exact number of teams and qualification method can vary slightly from year to year. The 2025 season featured 16 teams at TI.

Prize Pool and Compendium

The International's prize pool is legendary. It starts with a base contribution from Valve ($1.6 million) and then grows through community crowdfunding.

**How the Prize Pool Works:** - Valve contributes a base of $1.6 million - 25% of all Compendium (Battle Pass) sales go to the prize pool - The prize pool grows throughout the Compendium season - Final prize pool numbers are usually announced just before the Main Event

**Historical Prize Pools (reference):** - TI1 (2011): $1.6 million (entirely funded by Valve) - TI3 (2013): $2.8 million (first year of crowdfunding) - TI6 (2016): Over $20 million - TI9 (2019): Over $34 million - TI10 (2021): Over $40 million - Recent TIs have continued to feature multi-million dollar prize pools

**Prize Distribution:** The prize money is distributed among the top teams, with the winning team taking the largest share: - 1st place: ~40-45% of the prize pool - 2nd place: ~13-16% - 3rd place: ~9-10% - 4th place: ~7-8% - 5th-6th: ~4-5% each - 7th-8th: ~2-3% each - Lower positions receive progressively smaller amounts

Exact percentages are announced by Valve before each TI.

How to Watch TI 2026

The International is broadcast worldwide and is free to watch. Here is how to catch all the action:

**Official Streams:** - **Twitch:** The official Dota 2 Twitch channel streams all TI matches. Multiple language streams are available. - **YouTube:** The official Dota 2 YouTube channel also streams matches and uploads VODs. - **Steam TV / Dota 2 Client:** You can watch TI directly inside the Dota 2 game client, complete with interactive features like player perspectives and multi-camera views.

**Official Channels to Follow:** - Dota 2 on Twitch (twitch.tv/dota2) - Dota 2 on YouTube (youtube.com/@dota2) - Dota 2 official website (dota2.com)

**Talent and Casters:** TI features top-tier Dota 2 casters and analysts from around the world. The official English broadcast features a mix of veteran casters, former pro players, and analysts.

**Watching In-Person:** If you want to attend TI in person, tickets go on sale through the official ticket vendor. Ticket sales are usually announced a few months before the event. TI tickets sell out quickly, so be ready when they go on sale.

**Schedule and Matches:** The full match schedule is released before each stage of the tournament. Check Liquipedia or the official TI page for up-to-date match schedules, results, and team information.

A Brief History of The International

The International has a storied history dating back to 2011. Here are some key moments:

**TI1 (2011, Cologne, Germany):** The first International, held at Gamescom. Na'vi defeated EHOME to win the inaugural $1 million grand prize. This was the tournament that launched Dota 2 esports.

**TI2 (2012, Seattle):** IG defeated Na'vi in the Grand Finals. First TI held in Seattle, which would become the traditional TI location for many years.

**TI3 (2013, Seattle):** Alliance defeated Na'vi in what is considered one of the best Grand Finals ever. First year of the Interactive Compendium and crowdfunded prize pool.

**TI4 (2014, Seattle):** Newbee won. The prize pool surpassed $10 million for the first time.

**TI5 (2015, Seattle):** Evil Geniuses became the first North American team to win TI. 16-year-old SumaiL became a TI champion.

**TI6 (2016, Seattle):** Wings Gaming won with one of the most memorable runs in TI history. The prize pool exceeded $20 million.

**TI7 (2017, Seattle):** Team Liquid won from the lower bracket, a historic run. First TI with 18 teams.

**TI8 (2018, Vancouver):** OG won after forming just months before the tournament. An underdog story for the ages.

**TI9 (2019, Shanghai):** OG became the first team to win TI twice. First TI held in China. Prize pool over $34 million.

**TI10 (2021, Bucharest):** Team Spirit won as an underdog. Held in Romania due to the pandemic. Prize pool over $40 million.

**TI11 (2022, Singapore):** Tundra Esports won. First TI held in Southeast Asia.

**TI12 (2023, Seattle):** Team Spirit won their second TI. Return to Seattle tradition.

**Recent TIs:** The tournament continues to grow and evolve, with new host cities each year and a global competitive scene.

TI Fun Facts and Records

Here are some interesting facts and records from The International's history:

**Records:** - **Most TI wins:** OG and Team Spirit are tied with 2 TI championships each (as of 2023) - **Most TI Grand Finals appearances:** Team Liquid has appeared in multiple Grand Finals - **Highest prize pool:** Over $40 million (TI10) - **Youngest TI winner:** SumaiL (16 years old at TI5) - **Most played hero at TI:** Certain heroes appear in nearly every TI meta

**TI Traditions:** - **Opening Ceremony:** TI always features a memorable opening ceremony with performances and special effects - **Cosplay Contest:** An annual cosplay contest with cash prizes - **Short Film Contest:** Community-made Dota 2 short films compete for prizes - **All-Star Match:** A fun exhibition match with fan-voted pro players - **Player Profiles:** Documentary-style features on teams and players leading up to TI

**Why TI is Special:** The International is more than just a tournament. It is a celebration of Dota 2 and its community. The production quality is unmatched in esports, the storylines are compelling, and the stakes are the highest in the game. Whether you are a casual viewer or a hardcore fan, TI is an event not to be missed.

Other Major Dota 2 Tournaments

While The International is the biggest Dota 2 tournament, it is not the only one. The Dota 2 esports calendar is packed with events throughout the year:

**DPC Majors:** Majors are international LAN tournaments held 2-3 times per year as part of the Dota Pro Circuit. They offer DPC points (which determine TI invites) and significant prize pools. Majors are held in different cities around the world.

**DPC Regional Leagues:** Regional leagues are the foundation of the DPC. Teams compete in their region for 6 weeks per tour, earning DPC points and Major qualifications. There are 6 regions: Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Southeast Asia, and China.

**Other Premier Events:** - **ESL One:** Major Dota 2 tournaments held around the world - **DreamLeague:** European Dota 2 competition series - **The Bali Major / Lima Major / other Majors:** Named for their host city - Various third-party tournaments and LAN events

If you enjoy TI, you will probably enjoy watching DPC Majors and other premier tournaments too. The competitive Dota 2 scene is active year-round.

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