On September 14, just before the Grand Finals of The International 2025, Valve announced on stage that The International 2026 will be hosted in Shanghai, China! In August 2026, the world's top Dota 2 teams will gather in Shanghai to battle for the Aegis of Champions and the ultimate glory.

The International (TI) is Dota 2's premier global esports tournament, with its iconic trophy—the Aegis of Champions—symbolizing the highest honor in competitive gaming. First held in 2011 with a prize pool of $1.6 million, TI set a new standard for esports events. With the introduction of the in-game Compendium and massive player support, both the influence and prize pool of TI skyrocketed. By 2021, The International 10 reached an unprecedented $40.01 million prize pool, a record still unmatched by any single esports event. Production quality has also risen year after year, turning TI into both an annual festival for Dota 2 players and one of the biggest spectacles in esports. Over 13 editions of The International, Chinese teams have lifted the Aegis three times, and the phrase “CNDOTA, Best DOTA” has become a rallying cry within the community. The upcoming TI2026 will be the second International hosted in Shanghai, making it the only city outside of Seattle to host the event multiple times.

As a long-standing competitive game, Dota 2 has accompanied players for over 12 years. During all this time, it has continually reinvented itself—retaining the core of competitive gaming and Dota 2's unique mechanics, while introducing new elements with each update. This has kept players deeply engaged, experiencing the true charm of esports through ever-changing strategies and limitless possibilities. These qualities have fostered an inclusive, active, and creative community, with Chinese players being an integral part of it since Dota 2's inception.

In China, numerous Dota 2 tournaments have left a lasting impression on global players. Shanghai alone has hosted three Dota 2 Asia Championships (DAC), the 2016 Shanghai Major, the 2017 Perfect World Masters, the 2019 Dota 2 Supermajor, and The International 2019 (TI9). Chinese teams have achieved brilliant results in these events, standing tall at the pinnacle of global competition and leaving other regions trailing behind.

Perfect World Esports has long witnessed the glory of CNDOTA alongside players, hosting numerous major international offline events, including the Dota 2 Asia Championships (DAC) series and co-hosting The International 2019 (TI9). It has also organized various city tournaments, college leagues, as well as the Perfect World Ceremony and Perfect World Carnival, building a healthier and more complete Dota 2 event and community ecosystem. Even when Chinese teams underperformed, Perfect World Esports continued to serve the community, focus on the ecosystem, and invest in professional competitions—constantly learning, seeking opportunities, and striving to deliver world-class events for Dota 2 fans.

After years of struggle, Chinese Dota 2 teams and players have persevered through hardships, while Chinese fans have remained steadfast through highs and lows. Now, at The International 2025, hope has been reignited—Xtreme Gaming advanced to the main event with a flawless 4-0 record, while Team Tidebound followed with a strong 4-1. Yakutou Brothers also delivered beyond expectations. In the upcoming Grand Finals, Xtreme Gaming is set to face Team Falcons in a battle for the championship glory!

In 2019, Shanghai witnessed the birth of the first-ever two-time TI champion, but also the heartbreak of China's defeat.
In 2026, with Chinese Dota's resurgence to the global stage, The International will once again return to Shanghai!
As the waters of the Huangpu River rise and fall with the seasons, and as the Aegis travels from city to city, only the pure love of Dota 2 players and the relentless spirit of its competitors remain eternal.
In August 2026, let us gather in Shanghai to witness this passion and perseverance together!