The International 2026 Tournament Guide—Schedule, Format, and Teams
The International 2026 (The International 15) is underway in Shanghai, marking the pinnacle event of the Dota 2 competitive calendar. The tournament runs from August 13-23, with 16 elite teams competing for the prestigious Aegis of Champions.
The competition features a structured three-phase format. The Group Stage (August 13-16) uses a Swiss system with all matches in Best of 3 format. Teams finishing in the top three advance directly to the Playoffs, while teams placing 4th-13th progress to the Elimination Round. Teams finishing 14th-16th are eliminated from competition.
Following the Group Stage, a 10-team single-elimination Elimination Round determines five additional Playoff teams. All matches in this round are Best of 3.
The Playoffs (August 20-23) feature an eight-team double-elimination bracket, with Best of 3 matches throughout except for the Grand Final. This structure ensures the strongest competitors advance through multiple stages of competition, providing opportunities for dramatic comebacks and high-stakes final matchups. Aurora Gaming is confirmed as one of the 16 teams competing for the championship.