Everything you need for the Dota 2 The International 2026 bracket and schedule is right here, including a free printable bracket sheet. The International (TI15) is the biggest event on the Dota 2 calendar, and this year it runs August 13 to 23, 2026 at the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China. Sixteen teams battle through a Swiss group stage, the top eight advance to a double-elimination main event, and one team lifts the Aegis of Champions. Below you will find the full schedule, how the format works, and a printable bracket to track every series.
Last updated: July 25, 2026. Dates and venue are confirmed; exact daily match times are added as the schedule is finalized.
The International 2026: Quick Facts
Last updated: July 25, 2026
- Event: The International 2026 (TI15), Dota 2 world championship.
- Dates: August 13 to 23, 2026.
- Venue: Oriental Sports Center, Shanghai, China.
- Format: 16-team Swiss group stage (Aug 13 to 16), then an 8-team double-elimination main event (Aug 20 to 23).
- Prize: the Aegis of Champions and a multi-million-dollar prize pool.
The International 2026 Schedule
| Stage | Dates (2026) | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifiers | June 9 to 28 | Regional and open qualifiers for group-stage spots |
| Group Stage (Swiss) | August 13 to 16 | 16 teams, best-of-three; top 8 advance |
| Main Event Playoffs | August 20 to 23 | 8 teams, double elimination |
| Grand Final | August 23 | Best-of-five for the Aegis of Champions |
Shanghai is 12 hours ahead of United States Eastern Time, so matches that play in the afternoon locally land in the early morning ET. We will add exact daily start times here as soon as the tournament organizers confirm them.
How the Format Works
The group stage uses a Swiss system, which pairs teams with similar win-loss records each round rather than fixed groups. Over four days, the 16 teams play best-of-three series until the field sorts itself out, and the top eight advance to the main event. From there, the playoffs are a double-elimination bracket: every team can lose once and drop to the lower bracket before elimination, so one bad series does not end your run. The upper-bracket winner and the lower-bracket survivor meet in a best-of-five grand final.
Teams and Qualification
Sixteen teams reach The International 2026 through a mix of direct invitations and regional qualifiers held in June. The field brings together the top organizations from Western Europe, Eastern Europe, China, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. Print the bracket above and fill in the teams as the group stage locks in the final eight.
More Printable Esports Brackets
- Printable Esports Brackets Hub – templates for every major game.
- Esports World Cup 2026 Schedule – dates, format, and event guide.
Frequently Asked Questions: The International 2026
When and where is The International 2026?
The International 2026 runs August 13 to 23, 2026 at the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China. The Swiss group stage is August 13 to 16 and the main-event playoffs are August 20 to 23.
How many teams play at The International 2026?
Sixteen teams compete in the Swiss group stage. The top eight advance to an eight-team, double-elimination main event, and the rest are eliminated.
What is the format of The International 2026?
A Swiss-system group stage of best-of-three series seeds the field, then the top eight teams play a double-elimination playoff bracket. The grand final is a best-of-five for the Aegis of Champions.
