The days, the months, they march on and on, and we’re already on the cusp of both the Esports World Cup (EWC) qualifiers and with TI15 invites ready to land any day (at the time of writing). 2026’s Dota 2 “championship season,” as we’re dubbing it, is just around the corner.
But just in case you’ve not tuned into every top-tier tournament this year (there have been a lot), we’ve got you covered with the teams, and players, to watch in these coming weeks and months.
Dota 2 Teams to watch at EWC and TI15
Aurora Gaming
Quick quiz: Which team has had the most top-two finishes in events this year? No points for guessing Aurora, since this whole section is about them. This team is good, and they perform consistently, although they have unfortunately also had the most second-places of any team in 2026.
Headed into championship season, they’re going to be trouble for a lot of teams, who just won’t have the ability to beat their talented lakers. But as the trophies draw near, it will be the one problem that Aurora has faced in recent tournaments: Bottling it in the Grand Finals, that could hold them back.
PARIVISION
PARIVISION are a problem. They’re dangerously talented in all positions, a mix of veterans and youthful mechanics, and have the strategic depth (backed by TI-winner and veteran Puppey as coach) to mount a strong campaign this championship season.
What could hold them back is the problems the team seems to have playing on LAN. They struggled at ESL One Birmingham, and they’ve had similar issues in the past. But if it’s anyone’s year this year, it’s PARIVISION, especially on the back of wunderkind Satanic who we’ll talk about in detail later.
Tundra Esports
Tundra Esports have had some incredible success over the past two years, but just haven’t managed to convert that into the kind of dominant run we’d expect with their talent level. Something behind the scenes, whether it be from management or something else, has held them back.
While other teams on this list have consistency, Tundra has spikes and troughs. Some tournaments they’ll dominate, and others they’ll crash out almost instantly. We really can’t put our finger on them. Whatever the case, they’re one to watch.
Team Falcons
It’s almost impossible not to notice how great Falcons are when this time of year comes around. For almost three years straight they’ve been at the top of the Dota pyramid, winning at TI14, after a lacklustre year.
This feels like a similar trajectory in 2026. In 2025 they just couldn’t find their footing, all the way until Hamburg when they became unstoppable. And once again, it’s looking like they might hit their stride just in time to take home some trophies.
Dota 2 Players to watch at EWC and TI15
(Image 2) (Caption: Satanic was just 17 last year when he reached third-place at TI14. This year he’ll be looking to lift the Aegis. Image credit: Valve)
Satanic
Satanic is the latest in a long line of Dota 2 prodigies that have swept through the scene. Just 18 this year, having made it to third place at TI in 2025 aged 17, this is the definition of young star who’s just starting to peak.
We can’t think of another carry player who’s consistently exciting to watch. While many carry players are sink-or-swim, Satanic always finds a way. Did we mention he’s a prodigy? He hit 13,000 MMR at 16 years old. There’s no better playing at this level of Dota 2.
Mikoto
Mikoto is one of the great breakout players from SEA, and draws favorable comparisons to the likes of MidOne. But we’d argue that Mikoto is actually a more exciting player, more flashy and mechanically dominant in the mid lane, especially when on a signature hero like an Ember Spirit or a Puck.
It all really comes down to whether the heroes he excels at, high-mobility, high-skill heroes like the Ember and the Puck, are in the meta when TI15 and EWC roll around. If they are, then Mikoto could carry Aurora to victory.
33
Tundra’s 33 is one of the most storied and talented offlaners of all time. A two-time TI-winner with two different teams and a player that excels in almost any meta. His consistency grounds the rest of Tundra esports around him, and elevates their performance.
Around this time of year, with championships and the Aegis on the line, though, 33 transforms, and becomes even more of a methodical and brutal player than before. His no-nonsense attitude is turned up to 11, and you’ll see some of the best Dota you’ll ever see if you keep your eyes peeled on 33.
Honorable Mentions
PlayTime
The South American scene has it rough. It’s universally known that Peru and the rest of SA loves Dota, but just a few weeks ago, both paiN Gaming and Heroic dumped their rosters and abandoned the game. The paiN’s roster was picked up by PlayTime, and rewarded the org almost instantly with a EWC qualification.
While we’re not hopeful for an SA team to win it all at either EWC or TI15, they would be the best Cinderella story of Dota 2 history if they managed it.
Team Liquid
Team Liquid almost seem to go through a phase of dire performance just before big events. The team crashed out bottom of the table at DreamLeague Season 29, and have rarely looked like a top team this year. But you can’t count the former TI champs out, especially with the talent and experience they have. We’re hoping to see them perform in July and August.
Team Spirit
The EWC, or Riyadh Masters, is Team Spirit’s event, winning the past three years in a row. And while the Riyadh location has changed, it’s still theirs to claim. Even in 2025 when the team didn’t look its best, it came alive to capture another title. It would be amazing for them to claim a four-peat, something very rare in any competitive environment.
