All Dota 2 Tournaments Scheduled For 2026
The Dota 2 competitive landscape has evolved significantly since the dissolution of the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC). From global Tier 1 events to crucial qualifiers that shape the road to The International, the calendar has become increasingly difficult to track.
To make it easier to follow the season, this Dota 2 esports calendar covers all confirmed and upcoming tournaments in 2026.
Dota 2 Esports Calendar 2026
| Date | Tournament | Location | Tier | Prize Pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2–5 | BLAST Slam VI Qualifiers | Online | Qualifier | – |
| Jan 5–11 | DreamLeague Season 28 Qualifiers | Online | Qualifier | – |
| Jan 7–11 | Asia Pacific Predator League 2026 | New Delhi, India | Tier 3 | $100,000 |
| Jan 12–20 | ESL One Birmingham 2026 Qualifiers | Online | Qualifier | – |
| Jan 21–29 | PGL Wallachia Season 7 Qualifiers | Online | Qualifier | – |
| Jan 21–31 | CCT Season 2: South America Series 2 | Online | Tier 3 | $20,000 |
| Jan 29 – Feb 1 | FISSURE Universe: Episode 8 | Online | Tier 1 | $250,000 |
| Jan 30 – Feb 1 | ESL Challenger China | Shanghai, China | Tier 3 | $142,000 |
| Feb 3–15 | BLAST Slam VI | Attard, Malta | Tier 1 | $1,000,000 |
| Feb 4–12 | DreamLeague Division 2 Season 3 | Online | Tier 3 | $50,000 |
| Feb 12–20 | CCT Season 2 Series 7 | Online | Tier 3 | $40,000 |
| Feb 16 – Mar 1 | DreamLeague Season 28 | Online | Tier 1 | $1,000,000 |
| Mar 5–15 | PGL Wallachia Season 7 | Bucharest, Romania | Tier 1 | $1,000,000 |
| Mar 12–20 | CCT Season 2 Series 8 | Online | Tier 3 | $40,000 |
| Mar 22–29 | ESL One Birmingham 2026 | Birmingham, United Kingdom | Tier 1 | $1,000,000 |
| Mar 31 – Apr 3 | BLAST Slam VII Qualifiers | Online | Qualifier | – |
| Apr 8–14 | DreamLeague Season 29 Qualifiers | Online | Qualifier | – |
| Apr 16–26 | PGL Wallachia Season 8 | Bucharest, Romania | Tier 1 | $1,000,000 |
| Apr 19 – May 1 | DreamLeague Division 2 Season 4 | Online | Tier 3 | $50,000 |
| May 13–24 | DreamLeague Season 29 | Online | Tier 1 | $1,000,000 |
| May 26 – Jun 7 | BLAST Slam VII | TBD | Tier 1 | $1,000,000 |
| May 31 – Jun 5 | The International 2026 (TI15) Online Qualifiers | Online | Qualifier | – |
| TBD | Esports World Cup 2026 Qualifiers | Online | Qualifier | – |
| Jun 9–28 | The International 2026 (TI15) Regional Qualifiers | Online | Qualifier | – |
| Jul 6 – Aug 23 | Esports World Cup | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Tier 1 | TBD |
| Aug 13–23 | The International 2026 (TI15) | Shanghai, China | Tier 1 | TBD |
| Sep 17–27 | PGL Wallachia Season 9 | Bucharest, Romania | Tier 1 | $1,000,000 |
| Sep 29 – Oct 11 | BLAST Slam VIII | TBD | Tier 1 | $1,000,000 |
| Nov 17–29 | BLAST Slam IX | TBD | Tier 1 | $1,000,000 |
| TBD | Esports Nations Cup | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Tier 1 | TBD |
| Dec 2–13 | TBD (ESL Pro Tour) | TBD | Tier 1 | $1,000,000 |
What Are Major Dota 2 Tournaments In 2026?
Today, “major” Dota 2 tournaments are generally classified as Tier 1 events. This follows the dissolution of the official Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) after 2023, which marked the end of Valve-run DPC Majors that previously served as the primary qualification pathway to The International.
These tournaments are usually characterized by a prize pool of $1 million or more, high-level production, competition between the world’s top-ranked teams, and huge audience participation.
Major Dota 2 Tournaments In 2026
With that in mind, the following major Dota 2 tournaments define the 2026 season:
- BLAST Slam: With its high-octane production style, BLAST has entered the Dota 2 calendar with a series of Slam tournaments.
- PGL Wallachia: PGL has committed to upgrading the Dota 2 scene with its multi-year roadmap, making its Bucharest studio home to top-level Dota events.
- ESL Pro Tour (EPT): The circuit, which includes DreamLeague and ESL One events, uses its own points system to determine which teams are invited to its events.
Apart from the three pillars, 2026 features two massive “World Cup” style events hosted in Riyadh: Riyadh Masters (rebranded to “Esports World Cup”) and Esports Nations Cup. The former follows a club-based format, while the latter focuses on national teams.
As always, The International (TI) remains the crown jewel of competitive Dota 2. Despite there being more tournaments than ever on the calendar, TI still sits a cut above the rest. It’s every pro’s dream to etch their name in the Aegis of Champions—and by definition, Dota 2 esports history.
When Is The International 2026?
The International 2026 (TI15) will take place from August 13–23, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China. As a pinnacle of the Dota 2 calendar, TI15 will see the top teams from across the globe battle for the Aegis of Champions.
How Do Dota 2 Teams Reach TI 2026?
With the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) officially shut down, the path to TI has shifted to a performance-based system throughout the year. Dota 2 teams can reach TI 2026 through two paths:
- Direct Invites: Valve typically awards eight slots based on team performance at major tournaments throughout the season.
- Regional Qualifiers: Held across six regions, teams can earn a spot at TI via the Regional Qualifiers. Each region receives the following number of slots: North America (1), South America (1), Western Europe (2), Eastern Europe (1), China (1), and Southeast Asia (2).
- Online Qualifiers: Valve holds Open Qualifiers that provide Tier 3 teams a direct path to TI. The top squads advance to the Regional Qualifiers, earning a shot at competing against established pro teams on a global stage.
How To Track The Dota 2 Tournament Schedule In 2026?
To get updated information about the Dota 2 tournament schedule in 2026, you can keep track of all the latest Dota 2 news on Esports.net. Apart from that, you can also find more details on the tournament organizers’ social media pages or on Liquipedia.
FAQs
Where is The International 2026 held?
The International 2026 will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China, from August 13–23, 2026.
What major Dota 2 tournaments are scheduled for 2026?
The major Dota 2 tournaments in 2026 include the BLAST Slam, DreamLeague, and PGL Wallachia events, ESL One Birmingham, Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup, and The International.
How can I track upcoming Dota 2 tournaments in 2026?
You can track all the Dota 2 tournaments scheduled for 2026 right here on esports.net, as well as on Liquipedia or the official social media handles of ESL, PGL, BLAST, and Valve.
What are Tier 1 Dota 2 tournaments in 2026?
Tier 1 Dota 2 tournaments represent the highest-level events on the competitive calendar, characterized by prize pools of at least $1 million, elite rosters, world-class production, and the strongest teams competing on a global stage.
How do teams qualify for The International 2026?
Teams qualify for The International 2026 through (i) Direct Invites (based on season-long performance) or (ii) via Regional Qualifiers. Tier 3 teams can also qualify by competing in Open Qualifiers.
