Gabe Newell made a rare public appearance on August 20, welcoming players and viewers to the opening ceremony of Dota 2‘s The International 2026. The Valve chief appeared in a video shared through Valve’s Dota 2 YouTube channel as the tournament’s main event got underway in Shanghai.
Newell used the moment to look back at 15 years of The International. He recalled welcoming players and fans to the first tournament, then reflected on how Dota, its teams, its players, and even the Aegis of Champions have changed over time. He also noted that 58 players have now etched their names onto the trophy.
His central message was that the tournament’s spirit has stayed intact. Whether fans were inside the Shanghai arena or watching from home, Newell said the skill and talent on display deserved to be celebrated. He thanked the fans, the city of Shanghai, and the competing players before ending with a warm welcome to The International.
Newell’s public appearances are infrequent, which made the ceremony feel familiar and unusual at the same time. His place around Valve’s day-to-day operations may have changed, but he remains closely tied to the company’s most recognizable gaming traditions.
The internet also picked up on a second detail: Newell looked noticeably slimmer than in some of his earlier appearances. A discussion in the Valve subreddit quickly focused on the change, though the ceremony itself kept its attention on the players competing for the Aegis.
That competition is already underway. The eight-team main event began in Shanghai on August 20, bringing the tournament’s final matches to the SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center.
What did you think of Newell’s message and his return to The International? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram for more gaming coverage.
Dota 2
Developed by Valve
