the best storylines going into The International 15

After a grueling collection of qualifiers, we’ve lastly locked within the 16 groups competing at The Worldwide 15, which goes to be Dota 2’s greatest event of the 12 months.

When you’re a kind of seasonal viewers who solely comes out of your cage for TI, listed here are a number of the most essential storylines to comply with. 

There are lots of gamers who’re thought-about legends of the sport, however Clement “Puppey” Ivanov is hands-down one of the influential figures in Dota 2 historical past. He was the one participant to look in 11 TIs in a row, doing so from 2011 to 2022. 

Since his unmatched streak ended, Puppey has missed the 2023, 2024, and 2025 editions of the sport’s greatest occasion, however the large man is lastly again this 12 months. Nonetheless, he gained’t be taking part in because the legendary help and captain we’ve identified him for, as he’ll be occupying the teaching function below PARIVISION. 

The 2025 – 2026 season is the primary time he’s taking the teaching helm, and although PARIVISION had a reasonably disastrous begin to the 12 months, the staff has since stabilized and is even wanting like one of the best staff on the earth over the previous couple of months. It actually feels just like the roster is lastly gelling below Puppey’s supervision. 

The benchmark for PARIVISION this 12 months is fairly clear – the roster completed third final 12 months with their former coach Filipe “Astini” Ribeiro, so something higher than bronze is the purpose. And from what I’ve seen up to now, I feel they’re a severe favourite to win all of it. 

Puppey could also be one among Dota’s greats, however he doesn’t have what a number of the individuals this 12 months have – two Aegises and a hope for a 3rd. 

There are six three-time hopefuls coming into TI15, and these very proficient e-gamers are: 

I’ll be trustworthy, judging by Staff Spirit’s turbulent season up to now, I’m not liking Yatoro and Collapse’s probabilities of taking it this 12 months. Nonetheless, Mira, 33, and the dynamic duo of Staff Falcons are undoubtedly within the dialog.

I wouldn’t say Aurora, 1win Staff, or Staff Falcons are heavy favorites heading into the occasion. However with TI, the favorites by no means win, so these guys are undoubtedly inside attain of claiming a 3rd TI win.

2026 would possibly actually be the 12 months, and if any of them handle to do it, they’re mechanically getting into the GOAT debate. 

Whereas we’ve got promising rookies and folks gunning for a 3rd Aegis this 12 months, there’s one participant we would not see for much longer. 

Dota 2 legend Sumail “SumaiL” Hassan, who barely certified for The Worldwide 15 with Nigma Galaxy, despatched out a cryptic message on X after surviving the European closed qualifiers to succeed in this occasion. 

His publish reads: “Made it to TI, most likely the final one. Grateful for the help. See you all in China.”

So, you don’t should be Sherlock to inform that he’s probably saying his retirement, both after this TI or earlier than the subsequent. 

The group’s King made waves at TI5 by changing into the youngest participant to ever win The Worldwide, bagging the Aegis at simply 16 years outdated with Evil Geniuses. Time actually flies, as a result of it’s been a decade since – and the child who as soon as shocked your entire world is now a potential farewell. 

Sadly, I don’t fancy Nigma’s possibilities in any respect this TI, and there’s a robust risk they gained’t even make it out of teams. But when this actually is SumaiL’s final dance, I’d love for him to a minimum of exit with a bang. 

It’s actually no secret that Chinese language Dota has been in a serious droop. This area actually used to win TI each different 12 months, and now they’ve been in a drought since 2016.

To not point out, there’s additionally a severe lack of a brand new technology – we’re nonetheless seeing the identical veterans competing again and again. Two of the gamers who gained China’s final TI are nonetheless competing this 12 months: Zhang “y`” Yiping and Zhang “Faith_bian” Ruida, who gained TI6 below Wings Gaming, are set to play in Shanghai below Vici Gaming. 

If China desires to revive its Dota scene, its time is now. The occasion is held on house soil, and so they’re fielding three groups on the event – 4 in the event you depend the legendary LGD Gaming group, although they’re fielding a full South American roster.

TI15 in Shanghai is the proper likelihood to draw or inspire a brand new wave of expertise who will finally change these vets who’ve been combating for over a decade. The query is, do these Chinese language representatives have what it takes to make a deep run? In my eyes, solely Xtreme Gaming – who obtained a direct invitation – has a good shot.  

Gamers and groups apart, there was some controversy over ticket gross sales for the occasion. Information broke out that TI15 tickets offered out in simply three minutes, which might sound like a huge W at first, however there have been threads upon threads on Reddit claiming that the majority of them have been probably scalped or purchased out by clankers. 

Many followers did not get their tickets and talked about how the method felt a little bit scuffed, with some even failing regardless of utilizing a number of gadgets. Then, they noticed tickets being resold for a number of instances the worth only a few hours later. 

Though this case sucks for the diehard followers who actually needed to observe the occasion in individual, all these scalping shenanigans higher be value it – if I don’t see a full stadium roaring at each match, I’m going to crash out.

The Shanghai Oriental Sports activities Middle has a venue capability of 18,000, so it higher not disappoint.