The International 2026 main event predictions

The International 2026 (TI 2026) has already delivered loads of surprises, reducing the sector all the way down to the ultimate eight groups after an unpredictable group stage and elimination spherical.

Though a few of my earlier TI 2026 predictions didn’t pan out, I nonetheless completed within the 91st percentile – so I’m taking one other shot at rating the remaining Dota 2 groups primarily based on their newest type, particular person efficiency, head-to-head information, bracket place, and a bit of good ol’ long-established hopium.

You may seek advice from my prediction bracket for the TI 2026 primary occasion to see my calls from the opening matches via the grand last.

Whereas these picks are based on the stats and analysis outlined within the sections that comply with, in addition they embody some private biases, similar to selecting Nigma Galaxy over Crew Imaginative and prescient — controversial, I do know. That mentioned, I strongly encourage you to do your personal analysis to tell your personal decisions.

Crew Imaginative and prescient has been probably the most convincing group at TI 2026 to date, ending the group stage as the one 4–0 group with an 8–2 map report. Extra impressively, three of these sequence had been in opposition to groups that additionally reached the principle occasion, specifically Crew Falcons, BoomBoys (BetBoom Crew), and Crew Spirit.

Imaginative and prescient posted a flawless 3–0 report throughout these matchups and 6–1 in maps, triumphing in a prolonged 94-minute recreation with 56 kills in opposition to Crew Falcons. Extra importantly, that run is a part of a for much longer scorching streak after Imaginative and prescient went 16–3 on the Esports World Cup (EWC 2026), the place they in the end lifted the trophy.

Alan ‘Satanic’ Gallyamov has produced a number of the strongest numbers at TI.

He at the moment leads the event in common GPM (938), XPM (1,049), kills (14.10), and KDA (17.20). These numbers are even higher than his already godlike efficiency at EWC 2026, the place he averaged a 7.75 KDA throughout 19 maps.

Nevertheless, the group isn’t completely reliant on Satanic. EWC MVP Evgeniy ‘Seen’ Ignatenko additionally posted equally spectacular stats, rating second in each common assists (20.10) and KDA (12.04).

Towards different groups competing at TI 2026, Imaginative and prescient has the clearest path to the grand last.

In 2026, Imaginative and prescient dominated BoomBoys with a 5–1 report, together with a 3–1 victory within the EWC 2026 grand last and a 2–0 sweep within the TI 2026 group stage. Imaginative and prescient’s head-to-head report in opposition to the principle occasion groups on Patch 7.41 is at the moment 19-3-1, with losses solely to Falcons, Yandex, and Spirit. Their map report can be an astounding 77–25 (75.5% win charge).

For sure, Crew Imaginative and prescient’s uncooked particular person performances are greater than sufficient to take them to the grand last and provides them one of the best shot at claiming the Aegis.

Nigma Galaxy has been probably the most stunning group at TI 2026, ending the group stage 4–1 with an 8–2 map report.

After dropping their opening sequence to Iron Wing (1w Crew), Nigma proceeded to comb OG, LGD Gaming, Vici Gaming, and Crew Spirit to qualify for the principle occasion. This dominance mirrored their 9–1 map end at EWC 2026, the place they confronted powerhouses Crew Liquid and Aurora Gaming earlier than dropping off within the playoffs.

The turnaround coincided nearly precisely with Nigma changing Denys ‘rincyq’ Bohushev and Tony ‘No!ob’ Assaf with Sumail ‘SumaiL’ Hassan as carry and Artem ‘lorenof’ Melnyk as mid.

Lorenof at the moment tops the charts in hero harm (55,723) and is second-highest in kills (11.70), whereas rating among the many high 10 gamers in KDA (9.42), GPM (770), and XPM (998). In the meantime, SumaiL ranks second in hero harm (49,556) and third in each kills (10) and final hits (677).

The group’s supports are additionally pulling their weight, with Omar ‘OmaR’ Moughrabi main with 20.40 assists and Maroun ‘GH’ Merhej rating fourth with 18.30 assists. OmaR additionally excels in imaginative and prescient management, with the second-highest dewards (3.70) and the third-most observer wards positioned (15.10).

This model of Nigma Galaxy has a 25–15 map report because the reshuffle, equal to a 62.5% map win charge. Regardless of that, they’ve a troublesome journey forward and must overcome the defending TI 2025 champions, Team Falcons.

Nevertheless, Nigma’s latest efficiency and late-game tenacity give them a robust likelihood of a deep run, regardless of the bracket.

Crew Liquid enters the TI 2026 primary occasion as one other seemingly grand finalist after posting its strongest stretch of the season.

The group went 4–1 within the group stage, persevering with a late-season surge that started at 1win Essence II roughly every week earlier than reaching Shanghai. Liquid received that occasion by sweeping Falcons 3–0 within the grand last, regardless of an earlier 2–0 loss to them within the higher bracket last.

Liquid confirmed the identical mid-series adaptation of their TI 2026 group stage run, beating juggernauts Yandex, Iron Wing, and Aurora 2–1 earlier than sweeping Vici 2–0, all whereas solely dropping to Spirit.

Regardless of Liquid’s 4–1 group stage end, although, their star gamers haven’t produced the identical eye-catching numbers seen at earlier tournaments. For instance, midlaner Michał ‘Nisha’ Jankowski recorded the fourth-best KDA at 6.39 and the third-highest common killstreak at 6.07.

In the meantime, carry participant Michael ‘miCKe’ Vu posted the third-best tower harm per minute at 266.71. For context, Nisha and miCKe each led the leaderboard in kills at latest occasions, whereas helps Erik ‘tOfu’ Engel and Samuel ‘Boxi’ Svahn recorded probably the most assists.

Liquid additionally had a combined season. They received 1win Essence II and BLAST Slam VI, completed second at PGL Wallachia Season 7, and posted respectable placements elsewhere. Nevertheless, in addition they struggled at EWC and DreamLeague 29, ending ninth–twelfth at each tournaments. Liquid’s total map report of 74–52 on Patch 7.41 provides them a 58.7% win charge.

The principle concern is that Liquid holds an 8–16 sequence report on Patch 7.41 in opposition to groups competing at TI. Whereas Liquid swept their primary occasion opening opponent, Yandex, throughout the group stage, the matchup has traditionally been tough for them, with Liquid struggling two latest sequence losses, together with a 3–2 grand last defeat.

Iron Wing has been one of many harder groups to gauge this season, however their 3–2 group stage has pushed the ex-Tundra roster proper again into competition.

After winning DreamLeague Season 28 and ESL One Birmingham 2026, the group struggled to take care of consistency. They failed to achieve the playoffs in three subsequent tournaments and suffered early exits within the playoffs of two others. Their finest latest outcome was a third-place end at 1win Essence II, the place they misplaced 2–0 to Liquid. 

Iron Wing arguably had the toughest path to qualify for the TI 2026 primary occasion, dealing with 5 groups that additionally certified. They swept Nigma 2–0, beat Falcons and Yandex 2–1, however misplaced 1–2 in opposition to BoomBoys and Liquid. Iron Wing later comfortably swept GamerLegion 2–0 within the elimination spherical to punch their ticket.

The group has additionally posted excellent stats at TI 2026, reflecting how properly they work as a unit. Help Matthew ‘Ari’ Walker averaged 86.57 seconds of stuns per map, the second-highest on the event, whereas his 5.06 impartial camps stacked per map ranked fifth. As a group, Iron Wing additionally averaged 1.63 Roshan kills per map, the fifth-highest determine at TI.

Taken collectively, these performances make Iron Wing a real darkish horse at TI 2026. Though their robust run following the earlier TI started to lose momentum later within the season, their spectacular group stage gauntlet confirmed that they nonetheless have the standard to make a severe run on the Aegis.

Crew Yandex is the strongest group within the backside half of the rating. Nevertheless, the group’s 2–3 Group Stage report doesn’t really mirror how harmful they’ve been this yr.

Yandex won PGL Wallachia Season 7 and BLAST Slam VII, and completed second at ESL One Birmingham. Extra impressively, they boast a 61.3% win charge on Patch 7.41 with a 49–31 map report. Alimzhan ‘watson‘ Islambekov stays the centerpiece of the group and accounts for almost all of Yandex’s information at TI 2026.

Watson is very environment friendly in lane, rating fourth in final hits per minute (13.11) and common creeps denied (19.24), whereas additionally holding the fifth-longest killstreak (5.59). He’s additionally tied for the second-most numerous Dota 2 hero pool, behind solely Topias ‘Topson‘ Taavitsainen.

Regardless of all of Yandex’s previous achievements, they nonetheless rank #5 in my TI 2026 predictions as a result of they merely haven’t produced a convincing sufficient win in opposition to a high group at TI. Within the group stage, Yandex beat winless Huligani and defeated Crew Resilience 2-1.

Granted, they suffered shut losses to Liquid, Aurora, and Iron Wing, however in addition they barely escaped elimination with a 2–1 win in opposition to LGD. Even so, Yandex has the potential to re-establish itself as a grand last contender – however provided that it could rediscover its earlier type.

Crew Falcons enters the Primary Occasion with an opportunity to defend its title, however the reigning champions haven’t regarded almost as dominant all through 2026.

After winning TI 2025, Falcons went on to win FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2 and end as runners-up at BLAST Slam IV. Nevertheless, their most up-to-date grand last look got here at 1win Essence II. The group’s total report on Patch 7.41 additionally makes these inconsistent placements considerably deceptive, with Falcons posting a robust 74–41 map report and a 64.6% win charge.

Falcons went 3–2 within the TI group stage, with all 5 sequence going to 3 video games, together with the event’s longest recreation to date. They opened with a win over LGD earlier than dropping consecutive sequence to Imaginative and prescient and Iron Wing, then recovered with 2–1 victories over GamerLegion and BoomBoys. Falcons ultimately certified for the principle occasion by sweeping Vici 2–0 within the elimination spherical.

Individually, Falcons haven’t produced the identical form of tournament-leading numbers as another contenders.

Though Andreas ‘Cr1t-‘ Nielsen leads the leaderboard in common camp stacks (6.12) and Oliver ‘skiter‘ Lepko ranks fourth in common tower harm (243.99), Falcons’ incapacity to cleanly shut out video games – mixed with their prolonged matches – provides opponents loads of wiggle room to punish them and probably eradicate them from the event.

Crew Spirit had one of many strangest routes to the TI 2026 primary occasion, beginning the Group Stage 3–0 earlier than almost being eradicated.

They swept Xtreme and Aurora earlier than beating Liquid 2–1, placing them one sequence away from qualifying. As a substitute, Spirit had been swept 2–0 by each Imaginative and prescient and Nigma, forcing them into the elimination spherical, the place they recovered with a detailed 2–1 win over Crew Resilience.

Ilya ‘Yatoro’ Mulyarchuk stays the most important motive Spirit continues to be in competition for the Aegis, as his different teammates have fallen behind.

The 2-time TI winner has recorded the fifth-highest common kills (9.57), second-highest GPM (855.36), and second-highest common final hits (704). He’s additionally extremely environment friendly when split-pushing, dealing the second-most tower harm per minute (279.37), but in addition energetic in fights, with the fourth-most hero harm per minute (834.65).

Past his total numbers, Yatoro additionally tied SumaiL for probably the most kills in a single TI recreation, recording 31 kills in opposition to Crew Liquid.

Since Alexey ‘not me‘ Kosmynin joined in Could and Aleksandr ‘rue‘ Filin moved to place 5, Spirit has posted a 49–28 map report for a a lot stronger 63.6% win charge.

Nevertheless, their head-to-head report in opposition to the opposite primary occasion groups is much less convincing: 9-14-1 in sequence and 21–30 in maps. Spirit have surprisingly dominated Liquid with a 4–0 sequence report on Patch 7.41, however are 0–4 in opposition to each Falcons and Yandex.

With Yatoro taking part in at his normal TI stage and the present roster performing a lot better than earlier variations of Spirit, a deep run is just not out of attain. The one downside is that their inconsistency makes backing them for a 3rd Aegis an even bigger gamble than the groups ranked above them.

BoomBoys enter the TI 2026 primary occasion a lot decrease on this rating than their earlier event achievements would usually counsel.

The group had one among its most profitable seasons, successful PGL Wallachia Season 8 with a dominant 15–3 map report and ending second at EWC 2026 after reaching the grand last with a 14–2 report. In addition they had a number of different top-four finishes in 2026. BoomBoys have additionally posted an 85–48 map report (63.9% win charge) this season, reinforcing their wonderful monitor report.

Regardless of that, their TI 2026 group stage was shaky, beginning 2–0 with wins over OG and Iron Wing earlier than dropping three consecutive sequence in opposition to Imaginative and prescient, Aurora, and Falcons. They ultimately recovered by sweeping Aurora 2–0 within the elimination spherical.

Ilya ‘Kiritych‘ Ulyanov confirmed how excessive the group’s ceiling will be, recording the event’s highest single-game GPM of 1,105 on Necrophos. He was significantly spectacular of their elimination sequence in opposition to Aurora, particularly the ten/2/7 efficiency on Io within the deciding map. Whereas Danil ‘gpk‘ Skutin is one among their star gamers, he has but to make a statistical mark at TI 2026.

Nevertheless, BoomBoys sit this low in my TI 2026 primary occasion predictions largely as a result of they’ve arguably the hardest opening matchup of any remaining group.

Their first opponent is Imaginative and prescient, a group that has dominated them all through 2026 with a 13–5 map report and already swept them 2–0 within the TI Group Stage. If their underwhelming group stage type continues, BoomBoys might very properly bow out early from TI 2026.

With eight groups left and a number of other contenders already exhibiting weaknesses, TI 2026 stays tough to name heading into the ultimate week. Whereas Crew Imaginative and prescient is the “most secure decide” for the Aegis, any of those groups might realistically go all the best way.

Whereas uncooked stats and numbers can all the time function a great forecast for what’s about to occur, they are going to by no means assure the outcomes when these elite groups go head-to-head in Shanghai.

Disclaimer: All statistics are correct as of Aug. 19, 2026, and are sourced from DatDota and Spectral.gg.