Dota 2’s biggest tournament returns with the largest prize pool in esports history.
Tournament Overview
The International 2026 brings together the world’s best Dota 2 teams for the crown jewel of competitive gaming. This year’s prize pool is expected to exceed $40 million, funded entirely by the community through the Compendium.
Teams to Watch
- Team Spirit: Two-time champions, looking for a historic third TI title
- Gaimin Gladiators: Dominant in the DPC season with innovative drafts
- LGD Gaming: The perennial runners-up, hungry for their first Aegis
- Tundra Esports: TI 2022 winners, rebuilt and dangerous
Format and Schedule
The tournament runs in three phases: Group Stage (two weeks of round-robin play), Playoffs (double elimination bracket), and the Grand Finals at the end of the month. All matches are best-of-three until the Grand Finals, which is best-of-five.
Prediction
Team Spirit enters as favorites, but the gap between the top four teams has never been smaller. Expect a nail-biting Grand Finals with at least one reverse sweep.