leading news lines to the International 15

After a grueling series of qualifiers, we are finally down to 16 competing teams. The International 15what will happen Dota 2the biggest tournament of the year.

If you’re one of those season watchers who only get out of your TI cage, here are some important stories to follow.

There are many players who are considered legends of the game, however Clement “Puppey” Ivanov hands-down is one of the most influential figures in the history of Dota 2. He is the only player to appear in 11 TIs in a row, doing so from 2011 to 2022.

Since his undefeated streak ended, Puppey missed the 2023, 2024, and 2025 editions of the sport’s biggest event, but the big man is back this year. However, he will not be playing as a well-known captain as he will be coaching under his own name. PARIVISION.

The 2025 – 2026 season is the first time he has taken over the coaching duties, and although PARIVISION had a terrible start to the year, the team has since settled down and is looking like the best team in the world in the last few months. It sounds like the list is finally growing under Puppey’s watch.

PARIVISION’s benchmark this year is clear – the list finished third last year with their former coach Filipe “Astini” Ribeiro, so anything better than bronze is a goal. And from what I’ve seen so far, I think they’re a serious favorite to win it all.

Puppy may be one of Dota’s greats, but he doesn’t have what some of the participants have this year – two Aegises and a third hope.

There are six triple top prospects coming to TI15, and these talented e-game players are:

I’ll be honest, looking at Team Spirit’s tumultuous season so far, I don’t like Yatoro and Collapse’s chances of taking it this year. However, Mira, 33, and the dynamic duo of Team Falcons are in the conversation.

I wouldn’t say that Aurora, 1win Team, or Team Falcons are huge favorites going into the event. But with TI, the favorites don’t fall, so these guys can get a third TI win.

2026 could really be the year, and if one of them can do it, they automatically put themselves in the GOAT conversation.

While we have promising rookies and third Aegis shooters this year, there is one player we may not see for a long time.

Dota 2 legends Sumail “Sumail” Hassanwho did not qualify for the International 15 with Nigma Galaxy, sent a secret message to X after surviving the closed European players to reach the event.

His post read: “I passed TI, probably the last one. Thanks for the support. See you all in China.”

So, you don’t have to be Sherlock to tell that he might announce his retirement, either after this TI or before the next one.

The community king made waves at TI5 by becoming the youngest player ever to win The International, rolling Aegis at just 16 years old with Evil Geniuses. Time really flies, because it’s been ten years since then – and the child who once shocked the world is now looking for a possible goodbye.

Unfortunately, I don’t like Nigma’s chances at all for TI, and there’s a strong chance they won’t even make it to teams. But if this is indeed SumaiL’s last dance, I would like her to at least go out with a bang.

It’s no secret that Chinese Dota has had a major downturn. This region used to win TI every other year, and now it is in a drought since 2016.

Not to mention the huge lack of the younger generation – we still see veterans competing again and again. Two of the players who won the last TI in China are still competing this year: Zhang “y`” Yiping and Zhang “Faith_bian” Ruida, who won TI6 under Wings Gaming, will play in Shanghai under Vici Gaming.

If China wants to revive its Dota scene, now is the time. The event was held at home, and they fielded three teams in the tournament – four if you count the famous LGD Gaming organization, although they fielded a complete South American roster.

TI15 in Shanghai is a great opportunity to attract or inspire a new wave of talent that will finally take over these vets who have been fighting for over a decade. The question is, do these Chinese representatives have what it takes to make a serious run? In my eyes only Xtreme Games – who received a direct invitation – has a good shot.

Apart from the players and teams, there was an argument about the sale of tickets for this event. News has surfaced that TI15 tickets are sold out three minuteswhich may sound like a big W at first, but there were threads on Reddit saying that most of them could be cut or bought with clankers.

Many fans failed to get their tickets and spoke about how frustrating the process was, with some failing despite using multiple devices. Then they see the tickets being resold many times price just a few hours later.

While this situation does not go down well with die-hard fans who wanted to see the event in person, all of these hot-shots are well worth it – if I don’t see a full stadium roaring at every game, I’ll be bummed.

The Shanghai Oriental Sports Center has a seating capacity of 18,000, so it is better not to be disappointed.