Dota 2 players can now make their predictions for the The International 2026 playoffs. Valve has opened the next stage of the Predictions feature in the TI 2026 Compendium, giving fans a chance to earn additional points before the tournament reaches its decisive stage in Shanghai.

The playoff bracket is now available in the Dota 2 client, while the section dedicated to the Swiss-style group stage has been closed. Predictions for the main event will remain available until shortly before the first playoff match on August 20.

The International 2026 playoff bracket

Eight teams have made it through the group stage and will compete for the Aegis of Champions. The opening playoff matchups are:

  • PARIVISION vs. BetBoom Team

  • Team Liquid vs. Team Yandex

  • 1win vs. Team Spirit

  • Nigma Galaxy vs. Team Falcons

The playoff stage will determine which teams continue their run toward the grand final and which contenders will be eliminated from TI 2026.

Unlike the group-stage predictions, the playoff phase gives players a much more direct opportunity to evaluate individual matchups. Recent form, draft tendencies, performance on the current patch and a team's ability to handle high-pressure best-of-three series could all play a role when making predictions.

How do The International 2026 predictions work?

The Predictions feature is part of the free TI 2026 Compendium. Players select the expected winners of upcoming matches, with correct predictions generating points for the overall leaderboard.

Importantly, prediction points are not tracked separately from Fantasy. They are combined with points earned through the TI 2026 Fantasy League, meaning both systems contribute to a player's final Compendium ranking.

This makes the playoff stage particularly important for anyone trying to climb the leaderboard. A strong run of correct predictions can significantly improve a player's position before the final rankings are locked.

Community-created prediction guides are already appearing as players analyze the eight-team bracket and try to identify the safest picks and potential upsets.

TI 2026 Compendium rewards

The final reward depends on a player's position in the overall Compendium leaderboard. The reward structure includes several percentile-based tiers, with additional prizes reserved for the highest-ranked players.

According to the currently available TI 2026 reward information, the main tiers include:

  • 85th percentile: one month of Dota Plus.

  • 95th percentile: two months of Dota Plus, a 50% discount on the physical Aegis of Champions and a Tyrian Regalia treasure.

  • Top 1,500: six months of Dota Plus, a physical Aegis reward and two Tyrian Regalia sets.

  • Top 100: 12 months of Dota Plus, a physical Aegis reward and five Tyrian Regalia sets.

The reward structure also includes a Terrain Token in several of the higher tiers. Information about some of the 2026 Compendium rewards was initially reported from game files and data-mining findings, although the exact details should be checked against the final in-client reward description.

The system is designed to reward both consistency and accurate predictions throughout the tournament. As a result, players who performed well during the group stage still have an opportunity to improve their final ranking during the playoffs.

When do TI 2026 playoffs begin?

The The International 2026 playoffs will take place from August 20 to August 23 at the SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China.

Valve previously confirmed that the main event would feature the eight teams surviving the Swiss-style group stage, with the final two teams meeting on August 23 to decide the new TI champion.

The venue will host the final four days of competition, bringing the 15th edition of The International to its conclusion in front of a live audience in Shanghai.

The International 2026 prize pool exceeds $3.1 million

The TI 2026 prize pool has now surpassed $3.1 million and continues to grow through sales connected to the tournament, including team and talent-related content.

The tournament initially started with a significantly smaller base prize pool, with additional funding tied to the ongoing commercial activity surrounding The International. This approach has become an important part of the modern TI ecosystem, allowing the total prize pool to increase as the event progresses.

With the playoffs approaching, the focus now shifts entirely to the eight remaining teams. PARIVISION, BetBoom Team, Team Liquid, Team Yandex, 1win, Team Spirit, Nigma Galaxy and Team Falcons will compete for a place in the final rounds and, ultimately, the Aegis of Champions.

For Dota 2 fans, the playoff Predictions are also a final chance to put their tournament knowledge to the test. Correct picks can provide a valuable boost to the Compendium leaderboard, while a deep playoff run by an unexpected team could dramatically change the standings before TI 2026 comes to an end.

The International 2026 playoffs begin on August 20 in Shanghai, with the grand final scheduled for August 23.