Valve has announced that the next edition of The International, the premier sanctioned Dota 2 competition, will take place in Shanghai, China this summer. The tournament marks a return to Asia for the event after two consecutive years in Europe.
TI15 Dates and Venue Confirmed for Shanghai Oriental Sports Center
The International 2026, designated TI15, is scheduled to run from August 20 to 23. The event will be held at the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai.
The venue features an indoor arena with a capacity of 18,000 people, depending on the configuration for the event. This marks the first time The International has been hosted in Shanghai since Valve resumed its annual world championship circuit.
Tournament Format and Qualification Schedule
A total of 16 teams will compete for the championship title. Rosters will qualify for the event through two pathways: direct invites and regional qualifiers.
The qualification process begins with Open Qualifiers scheduled for June 9 through 12. Teams that advance from the Open Qualifiers will then compete in Regional Qualifiers, which run from June 15 to 28.
Once all 16 teams are determined, they will participate in a Swiss-style Group Stage from August 13 to 16. This stage will determine the eight teams that advance to the main event at the Oriental Sports Center.
Ticketing and Further Information Pending
Valve has not yet released specific information regarding ticket sales for TI15. Additional details about the event, including ticketing procedures and other logistical information, are expected to be announced at a later date.
Recent International Host Cities
The International 2025, TI14, was held in Hamburg, Germany. Team Falcons won that championship. In 2024, the tournament took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, with Team Liquid claiming the title.