Team Spirit defeated Team Vision 3-2 to claim the crown at The International (TI) 2026 on Aug 23 at the Shanghai SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center, marking the return of the world's top-level Dota 2 tournament to the city after seven years.

A total of 16 teams from across the world gathered in Shanghai for the tournament, which kicked off on Aug 13. Before reaching the grand final, Team Vision had beaten Team Spirit twice, winning 2-0 in the group stage and 2-1 in the upper bracket semifinals. Their third match on Aug 23 proved extremely close and intense, with Team Spirit fighting back to exact revenge and claiming their third Aegis as a final achievement.

Following their success, Team Spirit has become the first team in TI history to win three championships, adding to their previous titles in 2021 and 2023. Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk and Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov also made history as the first three-time TI champion players, impressing global fans with their eye-catching plays throughout the series.

The event has seen extensive engagement and participation, attracting close to 60,000 audiences from over 70 countries and regions worldwide to explore the city and experience Chinese culture, according to its organizer, Perfect World.

Shanghai first hosted the tournament in 2019. With this year's return, Shanghai has become the only city in the world, other than Seattle, to have hosted this event multiple times. It demonstrates the city's booming esports industry and its growing appeal as a city that bridges diverse cultures, connects global communities and facilitates international exchanges.

While Chinese teams have historically dominated the tournament, finishing in second place last year and winning the TI title in 2012, 2014 and 2016, this year's three Chinese teams, Xtreme Gaming, Vici Gaming and Team Resilience, failed to advance to the playoff stage.

Source: China Daily