BetBoom confidently closed the series 2–0 and advanced through the upper bracket, while Team Spirit dropped to the lower bracket. Based on the stats of both maps, the match was one-sided, and BetBoom left almost no room for a comeback.
Liquid won 2–0 and kept their slot in the upper bracket, while Falcons now have to fight through elimination matches. On both maps, Liquid looked more stable and executed their advantage better.
Aurora won the upper bracket quarterfinal 2–0 and continued the tournament undefeated in the playoffs. They secured the first map quite confidently, and although Heroic put up a fight on the second, they couldn’t turn the series around.
PARIVISION took the series 2–1. The first two maps were won without much trouble, but after the score reached 1–1, PARIVISION started losing. However, they managed to mount a comeback and secure the match.
According to the source, the government allocated more than 10 billion tenge — approximately $20 million. Another $10 million was allegedly budgeted under the item «Services Related to the Games of the Future», but without any detailed explanation.
Valve has released the Compendium for The International 2026. This year, players will once again be able to earn free rewards by making predictions for the biggest tournament of the year.
Valve has updated the matchmaking system in Dota 2 and adjusted MMR at the highest ranks.
Valve has released Patch 7.41e for Dota 2. The update is not a major one, but it is still quite important for the current meta: the developers have adjusted several popular heroes, mana regeneration items, Divine Rapier, and a number of powerful neutral artifacts.
According to insider rumors, The International 2026 could be the final tournament for the current Team Falcons roster. There has been no official confirmation yet, but if the rumors prove true, Dota 2 will lose one of the strongest lineups of recent years.
Chinese coach Zhang «Xiao8» Ning has officially left Xtreme Gaming. LaNm and Maps are now in charge of the team, while XG’s current roster consists of Ame, NothingToSay, Xxs, fy, and xNova.
Another strange detail has been discovered in Dota 2 that may be connected to the current event. According to content creator Dmitry «Finargot» Plyusnin, Valve touched the files of the Colosseum custom game in the latest update — a mode that first appeared back in 2015.
