The International 2026 heads to Shanghai — dates, format, and $1.6M base prize pool
TI 2026 runs August 13-23 at Shanghai's Oriental Sports Center. Sixteen teams, Swiss-system groups, double-elimination playoffs, and a $1.6M base prize pool.
TI returns to China
Valve has confirmed The International 2026 will take place August 13-23 in Shanghai, China, with playoffs at the Oriental Sports Center. It's the first TI in China since TI9 in 2019.
Format
The tournament structure is locked in:
- Group Stage: Sixteen teams in a Swiss-system format, best-of-three series. No elimination in groups — teams play until they hit three wins or three losses.
- Knockout Phase: The field narrows after Swiss, feeding into a double-elimination bracket.
- Grand Finals: Best-of-five championship match.
The Swiss system replaces the old round-robin groups, meaning every series matters and there are no dead rubbers.
Prize pool
The base prize pool starts at $1,600,000 USD. As with previous years, the Battle Pass (or its equivalent) will push the total higher as the community contributes. TI has historically exceeded $10M+ through crowdfunding, though Valve has scaled back the model in recent years.
Why it matters
TI is the biggest annual event in Dota 2 esports. A return to Shanghai — the city that hosted the record-breaking TI9 ($34M prize pool) — signals Valve's commitment to the Chinese market, where Dota 2 remains one of the most-watched esports.
The August dates give teams roughly three weeks after the current DPC season wraps to prepare. Expect roster shuffles and bootcamp announcements throughout July.
How to watch
Broadcast details and talent lineup haven't been announced yet. Valve typically confirms streaming partners and the on-air team 2-3 weeks before the event.
Follow our Dota 2 coverage for hero stats, tier lists, and TI updates.
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