The International 2026 Dota 2 Schedule: The Aegis Battle Begins

Updated schedule for The International 2026 (TI 2026), the most prestigious Dota 2 tournament of the year featuring 16 top teams from around the world. The event takes place in Shanghai, China from August 13 to August 23, 2026.

The International 2026 officially kicks off on August 13, starting the journey to find the next owner of the Aegis of Champions. A total of 16 teams will compete through the Swiss stage, elimination round, and Main Event before the grand final takes place on August 23.

The International 2026 Schedule

According to the schedule announced by Valve, TI 2026 is divided into two main phases. The first round takes place from August 13 to 16, while the top 8 teams will enter the Main Event from August 20 to 23 at SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center, Shanghai.

In the Swiss stage, all 16 teams compete in a single combined group instead of being divided into traditional groups. All matches are played in a Bo3.

After five Swiss rounds, the three best-performing teams earn direct spots in the Main Event. Teams ranked 4th to 13th must enter the Elimination Round on August 16 to compete for the remaining five slots.

TI 2026 Schedule Today, August 13

The opening day of The International 2026 features the first eight matchups. The matches are held simultaneously on multiple broadcast streams.

All times below are converted to Vietnam time (GMT+7).

The opening schedule is confirmed with two main time slots: 02:00 UTC and 05:00 UTC, corresponding to 09:00 and 12:00 Vietnam time.

Among them, the matchup between Team Falcons and LGD Gaming is one of the most notable matches. Falcons enter the tournament as the reigning champions of The International, while LGD remains a popular name among Dota 2 fans.

Another match that promises to generate a lot of attention is Team Spirit vs Xtreme Gaming, where top stars like Yatoro, Collapse, Ame, and NothingToSay have the chance to face off on the opening day.

Why Can't All Matchups Be Determined from August 14?

Unlike traditional group stages, TI 2026 uses the Swiss System. After each round, teams are paired with opponents of similar performance.

This means the matchups for rounds 2, 3, 4, and 5 are only determined after the results of the previous round are complete. Therefore, the detailed schedule for August 14 and 15 will be continuously updated based on the tournament's progress.

This format also makes every match at TI particularly important. Teams with good results can secure early advancement, while those that keep losing are quickly pushed into do-or-die matches.

When Does the TI 2026 Main Event Take Place?

After the Elimination Round on August 16, the remaining eight teams will have three days of preparation before the Main Event begins on August 20.

The decisive phase of The International 2026 takes place from August 20 to 23 at the SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, with live audiences in the stands. The grand final is scheduled for August 23, where the Aegis of Champions finds a new owner.

With 16 teams and a host of star Dota 2 players from around the world participating, The International 2026 promises to deliver 11 days of exciting competition, especially as the Swiss format can change the tournament's landscape after each round.