Bet on The International Dota 2 Tournament with Bitcoin

Fifteen years on from a small arena in Cologne, The International is back — and this time, it's going home.

For the second time in TI history, Shanghai will host Dota 2's premier championship. The Oriental Sports Center in Pudong welcomes sixteen of the world's best teams as they battle for the Aegis of Champions this August. With a $1.6 million base prize pool on the line - and more to come from Compendium sales - The International 2026 promises high drama and sharp edges. And with Cloudbet, you can bet on every moment using Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and more.

What is The International 2026 in Dota 2?

The International 2026, or TI15, is Dota 2's fifteenth world championship, hosted this year in Shanghai, China from August 13 to 23. The event returns to the city that last witnessed OG claim a historic second Aegis in 2019, this time filling the Oriental Sports Center in Pudong with fans from across the globe.

Sixteen teams will compete for the Aegis of Champions in a two-phase tournament. The first phase, branded The Road to The International, features a Swiss-system group stage from August 13 to 16. The top eight teams advance to The International proper: a double-elimination playoff culminating in a best-of-five Grand Final on August 23.

Defending champions Team Falcons arrive looking to become the first back-to-back TI winners since OG in 2019, with perennial contenders like Team Liquid, Team Spirit, and Xtreme Gaming standing in their way. The base prize pool stands at USD $1.6 million, with more to come from Compendium and supporter bundle sales.

The format retains the Swiss-system group stage, where all matches are best-of-three. The bottom three teams are eliminated directly from the group stage, while the middle ten enter a separate elimination round — five of those survive to join the top three in the main event playoff. Only eight squads reach the Shanghai stage. A gauntlet worthy of The International name.

You can bet on all the action with crypto right here at Cloudbet, the home of esports bitcoin betting.

Which teams can you bet on at The International 2026?

With 16 of the world's best teams locked in, The International 2026 offers plenty of opportunities for sharp bettors. From returning champions to rising challengers, each roster brings its own style - and odds. Whether you're betting with Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, or USDT, Cloudbet gives you access to all markets as the action unfolds in Shanghai.

Direct invites

1. Team Falcons (defending champions)
2. Team Liquid
3. Tundra Esports
4. Aurora Gaming
5. Team Yandex
6. BoomBoys (BetBoom Team)
7. Xtreme Gaming

Regional qualifiers

1. Team Spirit (Europe)
2. TEAM VISION / PARIVISION (Europe)
3. HULIGANI (Europe)
4. Nigma Galaxy (Europe)
5. Vici Gaming (China)
6. Team Resilience (China)
7. OG (Southeast Asia)
8. GamerLegion (North America)
9. LGD Gaming (South America)

How to bet on The International with bitcoin

Betting on The International at Cloudbet using bitcoin is quick and easy:

1. Create a Cloudbet account
2. Deposit bitcoin or any of our supported cryptocurrencies into your Cloudbet wallet
3. Start betting on TI matchups and markets

Withdrawing your winnings is just as fast, with bitcoin withdrawals processed within minutes.

The International 2026 betting markets

With best-of-three matches guaranteed throughout the group stage, TI15 is shaping up to showcase elite Dota 2 competition across a wide range of shifting meta drafts. Sharpen your betting edge with our insights and bet on TI15 securely with a leading esportsbook for the best odds and bonuses.

The International betting markets

Cloudbet offers a huge variety of betting markets on every TI match, including:

1. Outright winner
2. Individual game moneylines
3. Total games (in Best of 3, Best of 5)
4. First team to destroy barracks
5. First blood
6. Total kills

You can also bet live as the action unfolds with Cloudbet's in-play Dota 2 esports betting.

What to consider when betting on The International

To maximize your returns, consider the following factors:

1. Team tactics and strategy: Understanding each team's tactical approach is crucial. Some teams might favor aggressive early-game tactics, while others might opt for a late-game strategy. Knowing these can help predict match outcomes, especially across a Swiss format that rewards consistency over surprise.
2. Player form and matchups: The current form of players can significantly impact the outcomes. Look at recent performance statistics and head-to-head matchups against their opponents in the tournament.
3. Roster changes: Dota 2 teams often shuffle their players between tournaments and matches. A new player can either strengthen a team by filling a crucial gap or disrupt the team's synergy. It's important to evaluate how well new players have integrated into the team and their impact on recent performances.
4. Home region dynamics: With TI returning to China, all three Chinese representatives and the broader regional meta will be under a spotlight. Home-soil energy is worth factoring into your reads on Xtreme Gaming, Vici Gaming, and Team Resilience.
5. Meta and draft strategy: The map in Dota 2 has unique characteristics that can influence the outcome of the game. Different teams use unique strategies and styles to interact with map features. Review a team's previous draft tendencies to make more informed bets.

Why use bitcoin for The International Dota 2 betting?

Betting with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on Cloudbet offers several advantages:

1. Speed and ease of transactions: Crypto transactions are fast and seamless, ensuring that your deposits and withdrawals are processed quickly. This is particularly advantageous in live betting scenarios where speed is of the essence.
2. Enhanced security: Bitcoin transactions provide an additional layer of security with blockchain technology, making your betting experience safe and secure. You don't need to provide sensitive financial information, reducing the risk of fraud.
3. Lower transaction fees: Compared to traditional payment methods, cryptocurrencies typically come with lower transaction fees. This means more money in your pocket and less spent on transaction costs.
4. Privacy and anonymity: Crypto betting often requires less personal information, providing you with greater anonymity. This aspect is particularly appealing to those who prefer keeping their gaming activities private.
5. Global access: Cryptocurrencies are not bound by national borders, making them ideal for international transactions. This global access ensures that you can bet on The International from anywhere in the world without dealing with exchange rates or local banking limitations.

How to get started with bitcoin at Cloudbet

Here's how to fund your Cloudbet account with bitcoin for The International betting:

1. Sign up for a Cloudbet account through the website.
2. If you don't already use bitcoin, set up a wallet. Coinbase and Binance are popular choices with clear interfaces.
3. Purchase bitcoin via your wallet provider or a crypto exchange.
4. Once you have bitcoin, sign into Cloudbet, open the deposit page, and choose bitcoin.
5. Send bitcoin from your wallet to the provided Cloudbet address.
6. After the transfer confirms, you're ready to bet on The International's matches and outrights.

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