Dota 2’s Diretide event is a Halloween staple that stands as one of the community’s most anticipated limited-time modes since its debut in 2012. While it has appeared sporadically in recent years, expectations are building for a full-scale return in 2026.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything currently known about Diretide, from possible release timing and rewards to gameplay details and what you can realistically expect if the event makes a comeback.

What Is Diretide In Dota 2?

Diretide is a long-standing Dota 2 Halloween-themed event, first introduced in 2012.

Despite its popularity, the mode has appeared only sporadically, returning in 2013, 2020, and most recently in 2022. Although Diretide is branded as a “Halloween event,” Valve has never been strict about timing, with past events often spilling into early November rather than starting on October 31.

If Diretide were to be released in 2026, we predict it’ll work in a similar fashion, albeit with some new twists to make the event more interesting. This includes the availability of exclusive rewards, which is the main incentive for Dota 2 players to play Diretide events. 

History Of Diretide Events In Dota 2

Despite its infrequent appearances, Diretide remains one of the most anticipated seasonal events in Dota 2.

In the table below, you’ll find a comparison of past Diretide editions, highlighting key differences, including start dates and the unique game modes introduced with each iteration.

What Is The Dota 2 Diretide Release Date In 2026?

Valve has not yet confirmed a release date for Diretide in 2026.

That said, Valve rarely announces limited-time events far in advance. Historically, Diretide has often appeared with little warning, sometimes alongside a routine patch update rather than a dedicated reveal. Because of this, pinpointing an exact Diretide 2026 start date is quite difficult.

If Diretide does return in 2026, the most realistic release window would be between late October and mid-November, even if it spills past Halloween itself.

How Long Until The Next Diretide Event In Dota 2?

Looking at past Diretide events, we can see a clear pattern: the events tend to arrive in clusters, with two events released relatively close together, followed by a lengthy gap before their next return.

For example, the original 2012 and 2013 Diretide events launched back-to-back, while the 2020 and 2022 editions were not far off. What we’re saying is that if this pattern continues, we may still have to wait a while before seeing the next Diretide event.

How To Play Diretide In Dota 2

If Diretide returns in 2026, we expect it to play very similarly to recent versions. Here’s a rough idea of what it might entail:

• Two teams compete to collect the most taffy (dropped by creeps and Scarecrow Stashes) by the end of each round. Win three rounds to win the match.
• Killing an enemy hero causes them to drop all their taffy (you get a Taffy Bag per elimination)
• If both teams have the same amount of taffy at the end of a round, the round enters overtime for 30 seconds.
• Creep kills grant XP and gold to the entire team. Dead players continue to gain XP, but not gold.
• Taffy must be channeled into the Home Bucket to count towards a team’s score. The channeling can be interrupted.

Diretide Rewards System Explained

To redeem Diretide rewards, players usually have two currencies to manage: Diretide Points and Candy. They work slightly differently.

Best Dota 2 Heroes & Strategies For Diretide

If Diretide does indeed return to Dota 2, these are the best heroes in every role.

Core:

• Spectre (Tanky, good all-rounder)
• Drow Ranger (Allows easy AoE farming)
• Lifestealer (Can deal high damage and his kit grants spell immunity)
• Storm Spirit or Queen of Pain (Have high mobility for quick taffy deposits)
• Underlord (Offers strong AoE wave clear)

Support:

• Shadow Shaman (Has strong disables)
• Undying (Can protect allies carrying high amounts of taffy)

Depending on how aggressive your team wants to play, a good strategy to win Diretide games is to prevent the enemy team from depositing taffy using stuns and other crowd control tools at your disposal. Spreading taffy across multiple Dota 2 heroes can also be key, in case they start targeting a member of your squad.

Differences Between Past Diretide Events In Dota 2 

Here are the major differences between past Diretide events:

FAQs

When does Diretide 2026 start in Dota 2?

There is no official Diretide 2026 start date.

How long does Diretide last?

It depends, as it can roughly last between two weeks and three months, give or take.

How do you earn Diretide points?

You earn Diretide Points by completing regular Dota 2 games or playing the seasonal event.

What rewards can you get from Diretide 2026?

Since Diretide 2026 has not been confirmed, there are no confirmed rewards.

Why is Diretide important in Dota 2?

Diretide is an iconic limited-time event that adds unique cosmetics to the game.