Dota 2 The International 2026 Playoff Bracket: First-Round Matchups and Schedule

The preliminary stage of The International 2026 in Dota 2 has concluded in Shanghai, locking in the full lineup for the deciding stage. According to GosuGamers, Team Yandex secured the eighth and final playoff spot by defeating LGD Gaming 2-1.

TEAM VISION, Nigma Galaxy, and Team Liquid advanced directly to the playoffs based on their group stage results. Five more spots were earned through elimination matches by Team Spirit, defending champions Team Falcons, BoomBoys, Iron Wing, and Team Yandex. Exactly half of the 16 starting teams have been eliminated from the tournament.

Upper Bracket First-Round Matchups

In the opening playoff matches of The International 2026, the following teams will face off:

• Nigma Galaxy vs. Team Falcons
• Team Liquid vs. Team Yandex
• TEAM VISION vs. BoomBoys
• Iron Wing vs. Team Spirit

Final Stage Format and Schedule

The playoff stage will run from August 20 to 23 at the Oriental Sports Center arena in Shanghai. The tournament features a double-elimination format: losing teams fall to the lower bracket, while a second loss eliminates them from the championship.

All playoff series will be played in a best-of-three format, while the grand final for the tournament’s top prize—the Aegis of Champions—will feature a best-of-five series.