Dota 2‘s The International 2026 will begin its group stage on Thursday, August 13, and Valve has shared the stream links, Shanghai fan activities, and merchandise details players will need before the tournament gets underway. The full schedule and viewing information are available in Valve’s latest Steam announcement.
Players can also finish their fantasy rosters and submit match predictions before play starts, with the wider fan activities covered in the International 2026 activities update.
The International group stage runs August 13-16
Sixteen teams will enter a Swiss-format group stage, but only eight will reach the main event. Each team will play best-of-three series against opponents with the same overall record.
A team that earns four series wins will automatically qualify for The International. Four losses will eliminate a team. By the end of play on Saturday, August 15, three teams will have secured main-event spots and three will have been eliminated. The remaining ten teams will then compete in a special elimination round on Sunday, August 16.
All five Sunday series will send one team home and move the other into the main event.
The main event begins August 20 in Shanghai
The International will move to SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center on Thursday, August 20. The venue will welcome more than 10,000 fans for four days of double-elimination competition, ending with the Grand Finals on Sunday, August 23.
Tickets for the venue are sold out, but viewers can follow the tournament through several language feeds online. Fans in Shanghai will also have opportunities to see Dota 2 landmarks and collect event souvenirs around the city.
Where to watch The International 2026
Steam’s The International stream hub and the official Dota 2 YouTube channel will carry the event feeds. Twitch viewers can use the following language-specific channels:
- Chinese: Stream A, Stream B, Stream C, and Stream D.
- English: Stream A, Stream B, Stream C, and Stream D.
- Russian: Stream A, Stream B, Stream C, and Stream D.
- Spanish: Stream A, Stream B, Stream C, and Stream D.
Dota 2 landmarks and check-in spots around Shanghai
From August 13 through August 18, Dota 2 heroes and a giant Aegis of Champions will appear at several Shanghai landmarks. Commercial districts will also host check-in locations where fans can pick up souvenirs. A map is available through Perfect World’s Shanghai Dota Tour site.
- Wujiaochang Commercial District
- Wujiaochang Guangchang: Aegis of Champions
- Bailian ZX Fun Mall: Queen of Pain, Axe, and Pudge
- Shanghai Wujiaochang Wanda Plaza: Juggernaut
- Lujiazui Super Brand Mall, August 12-18: Windranger
- Shanghai EXPO Culture Park, August 13-18: Mars and Shadow Fiend
- Taikoo Li Qiantan, August 18-24: Aegis of Champions, Drow Ranger, Crystal Maiden, and Juggernaut
- Standard check-in spots: Lujiazui 96 Plaza, New bund 31, Shanghai No. 1 Shopping Center, and Expo Place
Where to buy The International merchandise
The online Secret Shop is open to both Chinese and international customers. Fans in China can use the China domestic store, while customers elsewhere can shop through the international store.
An in-person Secret Shop will operate at SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center from August 20 through August 23. It will open each day at 9:00 a.m. and close after the first break of the final match series. Visitors can buy merchandise from onsite cashiers or place an order through the Perfect World app for pickup.
Community streams can cover the tournament
Community broadcasters are welcome to stream The International, provided their coverage is based on DotaTV and their own content. They cannot rebroadcast another stream, including Valve’s official coverage. The community stream FAQ contains the full guidelines.
More information about onsite events, badges, and Crimson Witness drops will arrive as the tournament gets closer. Until then, the group stage is ready to begin on August 13. Tell us which teams and streams you plan to follow in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
Dota 2
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