Valve has released a Dota 2 update focused on The International, giving fans several ways to take part before the tournament reaches Shanghai. The event is two weeks away, and all 16 teams have earned invitations after the qualifier season and a run of results that included wins from returning champions and newer contenders.
The update, detailed in Valve’s Steam announcement, adds supporter bundles, match predictions, a revised fantasy system, and performance-based rewards. The International follows last year’s tournament in Hamburg, where Team Falcons lifted the Aegis of Champions.
Supporter bundles cover teams, talent, and community broadcasts
Supporter bundles are available for all 16 participating teams and more than 100 event talent members. Dota 2 is also offering community broadcast bundles for WXC Co. in Filipino, NS_ART in Brazilian Portuguese, and Maincast in Ukrainian, alongside the event’s four primary languages.
Half of the revenue from team, talent, and community broadcast bundles goes directly to the relevant team or talent. Another 30% goes toward The International’s prize pool.
Team bundles come in several levels and include custom sprays, a health-bar badge, team emoticons, and custom chat wheel lines. The Gold tier introduces a global effigy that replaces a player’s regular effigy through the end of September. Higher supporter levels can improve its appearance and add custom effects.
Predictions return before the first Swiss match
The International’s predictions will ask players to forecast the Swiss stage and bracket results. Predictions must be submitted before the first match begins at 10am CST on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Valve noted that nobody has correctly predicted every Swiss stage result in the past. That leaves a very specific piece of Dota 2 history waiting for its first perfect prediction.
Fantasy mode puts players in the coach’s seat
Fantasy receives a larger redesign this year. Players can now assign custom modifiers to themselves as the coach, with those choices affecting their entire fantasy team.
The system also updates prefixes, suffixes, and player drafting rules. Most of the roster will be drafted in pairs, with both supports coming from one team, the safelaner and offlaner coming from another, and a separate midlaner completing the lineup.
Top fantasy performers can earn Immortals and custom terrains
Players will receive awards based on how their fantasy results compare with everyone else’s. The Tyrian Regalia treasure returns with five redesigned Immortal items for the highest-performing participants.
A new Terrain Token will also be available to winners. It lets them choose one of six returning custom terrains, including Reef’s Edge and Immortal Gardens. Valve has placed the reward tiers and further details in the Rewards section of Dota 2’s main menu.
The same update also shipped a gameplay patch and a large batch of content fixes. Valve directed players to the official Summer Scrub 2026 page for the full details.
The International’s fan features are now available ahead of the August 13 opening match. Share your predictions, fantasy plans, and favorite supporter bundles in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
Dota 2
Developed by Valve
