The International 2026 direct invites revealed, regional qualifiers set for June

Valve has revealed the seven direct invites to The International 2026, heading to Shanghai, China. Nine more spots remain open, to be decided through regional qualifiers wrapping up June 28.

The directly invited teams are Aurora Gaming (Nightfall, Mikoto, Ws`, Mira, kaori), BoomBoys (Kiritych~, gpk~, MieRo`, Save-, Kataomi`), Team Falcons (Skiter, Malr1ne, ATF, Cr1t-, Sneyking), Team Liquid (m1CKe, Nisha, Ace, Boxi, tOfu), Tundra Esports (Pure, bzm, 33, Ari, Whitemon), Xtreme Gaming (Ame, NothingToSay, Xxs, fy, xNova), and Team Yandex (医者watson, CHIRA_JUNIOR, DM, Saksa, Malady). It's a stacked field with multiple former TI champions and several of this season's frontrunners already locked in.

One notable structural change this year: Eastern and Western Europe qualifiers have been merged into a single European qualifier with four advancement slots — the most of any region. The full qualifier schedule runs as follows: China, June 15–18 (2 slots), with Vici Gaming, Roar Gaming, and Yakutou Brothers among the participants; South America, June 15–19 (1 slot), featuring LGD Gaming and Hokori; Southeast Asia, June 19–23 (1 slot), with OG, REKONIX, and Execration in the mix; Europe, June 21–28 (4 slots), where Team Spirit, Natus Vincere, Virtus.pro, MOUZ, and Nigma Galaxy will battle it out; and North America, June 24–26 (1 slot), with GamerLegion as the only confirmed seed so far. Each region also draws additional teams from Open Qualifiers.

Once the last qualifier closes on June 28, the full 16-team field is set. Group Stage runs August 13–16 as a three-day, five-round Swiss bracket followed by five elimination matches on Sunday. The eight survivors head into the main arena August 20–23, where the Aegis of Champions is on the line.