Dota took over Shanghai - how the city was decorated for The International 2026

“The International is no longer a Dota festival” - this opinion has been heard more and more often in recent years. And usually I would agree with him, since I myself have not felt trepidation in a long time on the eve of the main tournament of the season. But not this year! After all, Shanghai managed to bring me back to childhood and believe in the magic of Dota 2 again. How? The answer is in our material.

This is the third time I have worked for The International. And it is still a great honor for me. I will never take business trips to Int for granted, because all this is possible only thanks to you, visitors - thank you for reading!

However, my joy lies primarily in the professional opportunities that TI provides. And the simple Dota joy - from the atmosphere of the championship, from cool games, from in-game “goodies” - unfortunately, remains somewhere in the past.

More precisely, she stayed at The International 2024 - the first “Inte” that I was lucky enough to attend. There - yes, I looked with my mouth open at the Int stage, Aegis and the players passing by. However, the next year I did not experience the same bright emotions... Even though at The International 2025 there was a symphony orchestra that I had so dreamed of! The trip became purely working.

In general, I flew to Shanghai in the most casual mood. And how wrong I was!

Basic minimum

Rumors that this year “Int” will not be limited to the stadium reached me a few days before arriving in Shanghai. But what kind of journalist am I if I don’t check the information? That’s why the very next morning I headed to the stadium to check out the “basic minimum” of The International.

What is included in the basic minimum? In my experience, this is a players' stadium and hotel. At least in Copenhagen and Hamburg, the Into atmosphere practically ended there. Well, the clubs could also organize some of their own activities, but all this is closer to the playoffs. And so, nothing more.

However, Shanghai decided to surprise me right away. Before I could get up to the arena, I was already greeted by The International 2026 banners at the adjacent metro station. Literally every surface is covered with posters. Well, isn't it beauty? Before this, I had seen the most Into bus. And here is a whole station!

We go out to the arena. The first thing that catches your eye is the bodies of water around the stadium. And they are here for a reason: Oriental Sports Center is primarily known as a location for water sports competitions. Just look at this pond in front of the stadium (somewhat reminiscent of the Reflecting Pool in front of the White House in the USA) - imagine how cool the arena lights will be reflected there in the evenings!

As you may have noticed, the stadium is being prepared in earnest for The International 2026: themed stands are being placed inside, and temporary pavilions are being built behind the arena - most likely for the Secret Shop and ticket checking.

These photographs were taken on the morning of August 13, and then there was no particular smell of Intom yet. However, already in the evening of the same day, colleagues began to report the appearance of team logos right in the arena itself! Unfortunately, I myself have not yet witnessed this spectacle, but it looks something like this:

Source: KD ALL IN

Literally across the road is the next stage of the route: the players' hotel. This point is not so interesting to ordinary viewers - except to look at professionals and talents - but for journalists and other content makers, most often this is where the main work area is located.

I think you've already heard about the hotel: full luxury, everything. But what hasn’t been talked about yet is the shopping center opposite. We're talking about Taikoo Li Qiantan (one of the official points of The International 2026, but more on that later): a chic shopping complex where many top brands are represented. In addition to the street area, the shopping center also includes 2 indoor areas: “wooden” and “stone”. I think you can guess what everything is made of there.

As of today, there are no special doter points of interest in this shopping center. But if you suddenly want to carefully get an autograph or politely take a photo with someone from the Dota community, the territory of Taikoo Li Qiantan is best suited for this (except for the official autograph sessions that are usually organized at TI).

Team Spirit fans will definitely see their favorite brand

It would seem that this was all before the start of the playoffs - in past years this was the case. But not this time. Now this is just the beginning of the Dota holiday!

Luxurious maximum

And the thing is that this year Perfect World is helping with organizing the event. For those unfamiliar, Perfect World is the official representative of Valve in China, serving as the publisher of the American company's games in the country. And it was thanks to PW that Shanghai Int went beyond the stadium.

On August 12, Valve officially confirmed that several thematic locations dedicated to Dota 2 and The International 2026 will open in various places in Shanghai. There was nothing like this in previous years - both in 2024 and 2025, TI began and ended at the stadium. Literally the entire city is saturated with the tournament.

And even that’s not all! Perfect World decided to gamify the experience of Dota fans in China. So, the company launched a special page in its own application (and on a separate website) called “Shanghai Tour”. What is the Shanghai Tour:

Remember Pokémon Go? This is something similar. The application has a map where all the event locations are marked (with the exact address). Come to the point, see the installation and take out your phone to check-in. It’s simple: in the application, open the corresponding location and press the desired button - if you are 500 meters from the checkpoint, it will be counted towards you.

Physical rewards are provided for closing checkpoints:

• 1 check-in - random Dota card;
• 3 check-ins — a set of Dota cards;
• 5 check-ins - Dota 2 merch (for the first 200 people).

Thus, you cannot get loot without a Chinese SIM card. At least in my experience. Although, it might make sense to explain the situation at the awards counter - who knows, maybe they will help! It's definitely worth a try.

To be honest, the gifts aren't exactly "wow." Although if you take into account their exclusivity and limitations, the value increases. But in any case, the very fact that for the sake of us, the doters, they were so tired of it, is already incredibly pleasant. Installations with heroes are worth a lot! I'll show them to you now.

Collect them all!

In general, the benefit of the event from the point of view of the city is crystal clear: to drive visiting doters around the main tourist and shopping spots in Shanghai. The pleasure for those who want to play Dota Pokémon Go is also clear: not just to walk around the sights, but with a specific goal and the opportunity to win prizes.

But keep in mind that if you really decide to collect 5 check points in 1-2 days of free time from the tournament, you will have to work hard. Literally. I completed this task in 2 days and found approximately 50,000 steps (and that's with metro rides!). All this in the tiring stuffiness of Shanghai, crowds of people, and on the second day it was raining endlessly! So be sure to take an umbrella, plenty of water and comfortable shoes. And don’t forget that the event is valid until August 23, and checkpoints have their own opening hours. Here's what awaits you:

• Location: cultural and business complex Qiantan 31;
• Address: Qiantan Xinde Center, No. 18, Lane 666, West Haiyang Road, Pudong New Area;
• Nearby: The International 2026 arena, players' hotel.

The most basic and accessible location is located just 10-15 minutes from the arena. It consists of up to 10 cardboard figures of Dota 2 characters, which are scattered throughout one of the parts of the complex. If you want to try to check in 1 location just for show, this is the place for you. But if you want to see something more interesting, look for other places - there are such figures at almost every point.

• Location: shopping center No.1 Department Store Shopping Center;
• Address: No.1 Department Store Building C, No. 800 East Nanjing Road, Shanghai;
• Nearby: Bund of the Bund (the most popular place for photos from Shanghai).

Another example of a standard point: a combination of a cardboard cutout and a photo frame. The point was not included in the pool of my 5 locations (I took the picture from the app), but I recommend visiting: firstly, the check point is located on the street of shopping centers, where there is literally EVERYTHING; secondly, at the end of the street there is an embankment with a steep view for a classic photograph from Shanghai - this was already taken by Team Yandex manager Mikhail 'FILIP_FILIPSOV' Turchin:

• Location No. 1 (WR): huge shopping center Super Brand Mall;
• Address: No. 168 West Lujiazui Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai;
• Nearby: the famous Oriental Pearl TV tower.

• Location No. 2 (standard set): Lujiazui 96 Plaza shopping center;
• Address: No. 796 Dongfang Road, Weifang Subdistrict, Pudong New Area, Shanghai;
• Nearby: Century Huiguangchang shopping center.

Some zones include 2 or more checkpoints at once. For example, in the Lujiazui business district you can visit 2 shopping centers. And if in one of them you will find only a basic set of cardboard figures and an Int photo zone, then in the second you will find a statue of Windranger, which shocked the entire Reddit.

Important note: you can only make one check-in in one zone. Accordingly, for example, if you have already checked in at Windranger in Super Brand Mall, you do not need to go to 96 Plaza (unless you really want to).

• Location: Expo Culture Park;
• Address: No. 2200 Shibo Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai;
• Nearby: the territory of the Park itself.

A location that is not located in a shopping center, but on the territory of a HUGE park with a scattering of impressive places. The expo is definitely worth your time, but if you are coming here specifically for Dota and check-in, then you will find a green arch with the inscription “The Realm of the World Tree”. I myself spent more than two hours trying to find Dota characters, and I didn’t regret it - there are still a lot of cool things in the park.

Have you noticed that these installations also perform another function? The function of attracting new audiences. Look at the photo from Mars - potential dota players are already reaching for their future signature!

Dota in Shanghai can be found not only at official outlets. There are various references to The International 2026 throughout the city. For example, in a completely random place I came across these banners with the winning pick of Team Falcons from last year:

• Location No. 1 (Aegis): Wujiaochang Plaza;
• Address: Wujiaochang Plaza, Shanghai.

• Location No. 2 (inflatable Juggernaut): Shanghai Wujiaochang Wanda Plaza;
• Address: Shanghai Wujiaochang Wanda Plaza, Shanghai.

• Location No. 3 (inflatable Pudge, Queen of Pain, Ax): Wujiaochang Plaza;
• Address: Wujiaochang Plaza, Shanghai.

The “fattest” zone in terms of content, which includes 3 locations at once. In addition to the standard check-ins, in the central square you can find a huge Aegis, and near the shopping center across the road - three characters at once: a giant inflatable Pudge, as well as statues of Ax and Queen of Pain. From here you can see how on the opposite side of the street an inflatable Juggernaut is looking at you from the roof (and on the next roof - Pikachu... Teaser for a future update?).

According to rumors, somewhere there should be a huge advertising screen on which a Dota video is periodically shown. I couldn’t find it - maybe you can do it!

Finally, you will be able to visit Perfect World partner stores - they will also work as checkpoints. All information about this is in the PW application.

Among other things, some places have not yet launched. For example, in the announcement Valve mentioned Taikoo Li Qiantan, a shopping center already familiar to us near the players’ hotel. Aegis, Drow Ranger, Crystal Maiden and Juggernaut will appear there on August 18. It is worth noting that on the same day the locations with Windranger, Mars and Shadow Fiend will close.

Perhaps all this may seem trivial to some. Maybe that's how it is. But, as for me, it is precisely such small details that create a festive atmosphere. Remember the New Year: Christmas tree, decorations, decorations - is it possible to imagine a holiday without this? It's the same story here. And I already feel that the holiday is coming to us.