The International 2026 Opens in Shanghai With 16 Teams Chasing a $2.8 Million Prize Pool

Dota 2's biggest event of the year is underway. The International 2026 opened in Shanghai on August 13, bringing 16 of the world's best squads together for eleven days of competition running through August 23, with the main event staged at the Oriental Sports Center from August 20.

The tournament begins with a Swiss-format group stage from August 13 to 16, where every team plays best-of-three series. The top three advance straight to the playoffs, while teams placing fourth through thirteenth drop into an elimination round to fight for the remaining bracket slots. From there it becomes a double-elimination playoff, with the Grand Final played as a best-of-five.

The prize pool has grown from its traditional $1.6 million base to roughly $2.8 million through in-game supporter purchases, with at least $1.2 million reserved for the champions. Aurora, Team Falcons, Team Liquid, Xtreme Gaming, Team Spirit, OG and LGD Gaming headline a field that mixes established dynasties with newer contenders.

Playdash is following the Swiss stage closely, tracking how each best-of-three result reshapes outright winner markets and series pricing as the bracket takes shape ahead of the Shanghai main event.