The International Heads to Shanghai This Summer

Why It Matters

Hosting TI in China underscores the rapid expansion of esports in the Asian market and offers sponsors a massive live‑audience platform. The event will boost Shanghai’s reputation as a premier destination for global gaming tournaments.

Key Takeaways

• TI15 scheduled Aug 20‑23 in Shanghai
• Venue seats up to 18,000 spectators
• 16 teams qualify via open and regional qualifiers
• Swiss‑style group stage determines eight main‑event slots
• Ticket details pending, generating anticipation

Pulse Analysis

The International has become the flagship event of the Dota 2 ecosystem, drawing millions of concurrent viewers and billions in prize money. Moving the 2026 edition to Shanghai reflects the strategic shift toward Asia, where esports consumption outpaces any other region. China’s robust broadband infrastructure, government support, and a passionate fan base create an ideal environment for large‑scale productions, positioning the city as a rival to traditional Western hosts like Hamburg and Copenhagen.

The Oriental Sports Center, with a configurable capacity of 18,000, offers a modern venue capable of delivering high‑quality live experiences and immersive broadcast capabilities. The tournament’s format—sixteen invited teams, Open Qualifiers in early June, Regional Qualifiers later that month, followed by a Swiss‑style group stage—ensures a merit‑based pathway that maintains competitive integrity while maximizing storylines for audiences. This structure also fuels regional rivalries, driving viewership spikes across multiple time zones and enhancing advertising inventory.

From a business perspective, TI15 presents lucrative opportunities for sponsors, media partners, and local tourism. Brands can tap into a highly engaged demographic that spends significantly on gaming hardware, apparel, and digital services. Shanghai’s hospitality sector stands to benefit from an influx of international fans and teams, while the event further cements China’s position in the global esports supply chain. As the industry continues to professionalize, the success of TI in Shanghai will likely influence future venue selections and investment decisions across the esports landscape.

The International Heads to Shanghai This Summer

Valve brings the biggest Dota 2 competition of the year to the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. · By James Fudge · February 12, 2026

The International heads to Shanghai in 2026.

Valve announced this week that the biggest sanctioned Dota 2 competition of the year, The International (TI), will take place in China this year and will happen in the summer.

Valve officially announced that TI will take place from Aug. 20‑23, at the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China. The Shanghai Oriental Sports Center has an indoor arena capable of seating 18,000 people, depending on configuration.

TI will feature 16 teams with rosters that have earned direct invites and that have climbed up the Open Qualifiers (June 9‑12) and the Regional Qualifiers (June 15‑28). In Shanghai, teams will compete in a Swiss‑style Group Stage (Aug. 13‑16) to secure one of eight slots to the main event.

Information on tickets for the event and other important news about TI15 will be released at a later date.

The 2025 edition of TI, TI14, was hosted in Hamburg, Germany, with Team Falcons taking home the biggest prize. In 2024, TI was hosted in Copenhagen, Denmark, with Team Liquid taking home the top prize.