The International’s fifteenth bout is fast approaching, standing firm as one of the most valuable esports tournaments in the business. The event’s qualifying stages are about to open up, and only a handful of teams will make it to the grandest stage in Dota 2, but how does it all work?
Below, I’ve outlined The International 15’s qualifying stages for the entire world, including schedules, teams competing, and the number of slots up for grabs.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about The International 15 qualifiers.
European Qualifiers
Europe is arguably the main event of the qualifying stage, and Valve has raised the stakes this year by merging two major regions into a mega-qualifier of sorts. There are sixteen teams fighting for just four spots, and the favorites have already started to emerge.
- Schedule: June 21 – 28
Teams:
- Team Vision
- Team Spirit
- MOUZ
- Natus Vincere
- Nigma Galaxy
- Virtus.pro
- Enjoy
- Power Rangers
- L1GA TEAM
- Rune Easter
- Yellow Submarine
- VP.Prodigy
- Team Bald Reborn
- IC x Insanity
- MODUS
- 4ikibamboni
Southeast Asian Qualifiers
There’s just one slot available in the SEA region for this year’s The International, which means 90% of the ten teams competing will go home empty-handed. It’s a drastic situation, but that’s what you get when you vie for the most valuable stage in Dota 2.
- Schedule: June 19 – 23
Teams:
- REKONIX
- OG
- Execration
- GLYPH
- Carstensz Esports
- Yangon Galacticos
- Grind Back
- Direborn
- Mentality Monster
- InterActive Philippines
Chinese Qualifiers
The International 15 is taking place in Shanghai this year, and that means that Valve has been kind enough to open up two slots for the Chinese contenders hunting for successful qualification. There are eight teams fighting to get to the stage from China.
- Schedule: June 15 – 18
Teams:
- Vici Gaming
- Roar Gaming
- Team Resilience
- Yakutou Brothers
- Team Refuser
- Game Master
- Cloud Rising
- Grey Track
South American Qualifiers
There’s a huge upset on the cards for South America, as the region only has one slot for The International 15, and there are multiple teams that fully deserve to head to Shanghai to compete. That’s the way the cookie crumbles, I guess.
- Schedule: June 15 – 19
Teams:
- LGD Gaming
- PlayTime
- Red Hot Chili Pibble
- Amaru Gaming
- Hokori
- Team Nemesis
- Lindorfitos
- RisingRage
- Estar Backs
- x5 Gaming
North American Qualifiers
North America’s qualifying stage is the weakest of the entire bunch, with Valve accommodating just four teams and one qualification spot for The International 15. It’s hardly worth following, but here’s the information you need.
- Schedule: June 24 – 26
Teams:
- GamerLegion
- The Bug
- GG Boom
- 4 Anchors and Ilmeria
What regional qualifier are you most interested in for The International 15? Let us know your thoughts on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out our guide to Overwatch’s Season 3 update
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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