The International in 2026 will bring together the strongest teams in the world for the 15th time. The participants are known, the Compendium is already in the game, the format is close to TI 14 - but the location is different. The main tournament of the season is once again being hosted in Asia. Country and city TI 2026| Parameter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Country | China |
| City and region | Shanghai, Pudong |
| Group stage (“Road to The International”) | August 13–16, 2026; the site has not been officially announced, matches without spectators |
| Playoffs | August 20–23, 2026 |
| Playoff Arena | Oriental Sports Center (SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center) |
| Capacity | about 18 thousand spectators |
| For Shanghai | the second TI in the city (the first was in 2019, in a different arena) |The International 2026 will be hosted by Shanghai, the largest city in China at the mouth of the Yangtze. Valve announced the site back at the TI 2025 finals in Hamburg, where Team Falcons beat Xtreme Gaming and took the Aegis. The main stage matches will be held in Pudong - the business and sports part of the city on the eastern bank of the Huangpu. The choice is logical: China is one of the key regions in terms of audience and strength of teams, and the city has already hosted The International. Has Shanghai already hosted TI? Yes. In 2019, the tournament took place at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Then OG won the second TI in a row - an achievement that no one has yet repeated. After that, “Int” left for Europe and North America. The return to Shanghai seven years later and the change of arena became part of the anniversary TI 15. Last time in China, fans remembered the opening ceremony - expectations for the show at TI 2026 are high again. Which arenas will they play in? The tournament is divided into two stages with different logistics. “The Path to The International” - from August 13 to 16. Valve did not officially disclose the location. Usually such matches take place without a live audience at studio venues. Format - Swiss system: 16 teams play series over several dayspoison, on the final day the remaining tickets to the playoffs are played out. Playoffs - from August 20 to 23 at the Oriental Sports Center in Pudong. The complex was built in 2011 (initially for water sports), the indoor hall can accommodate up to 18 thousand people. There have already been major esports events here - the MSI semi-finals in League of Legends and the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 playoffs in CS2. The platform is being used for the first time for Dota 2 and The International. Time zone Shanghai is CST (UTC+8). The difference with Moscow is five hours: daytime matches at local time are more convenient to watch in the morning Moscow time, evening matches in the afternoon, late matches in the evening.FAQWhere is The International 2026 taking place?
In China, in Shanghai. Playoffs - at the Oriental Sports Center in Pudong. When does the tournament start?
August 13, 2026; final - August 23.Is this the first TI in Shanghai?
No, the second one. The first was in 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
