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A Breakdown of the Dota 2 TI 15 Favorites
A Breakdown of the Dota 2 TI 15 Favorites
Publish Date: 12/08/2026
We are in the midst of the biggest Dota 2 International tournament to date right now. The Dota 2 TI 15 has brought all the hype: with the best eSports teams in the world right now competing, competitive qualifiers bringing the excitement to the table and interesting brackets making the whole tournament unpredictable this year.
But, who is the favorite to win the Dota 2 TI 15? In this guide, we will break down exactly who is the odds on favorite, and who is the smart team to back in this years tournament. Let’s get stuck right in.
The Best eSports Betting Sites for the Dota 2 TI
4.8/5
4.7/5
4.7/5
What the TI 15 Format requires for Favorites
The format for the TI 15 deviates a little from the classic TI 15 format, which is something we talk about in a little more detail in our Dota 2 TI Format review. But, the interesting thing about the demanding format this year, is that it determines the odds on favorite - not necessarily being the best team.
Only the group winner will jump straight to the playoffs when they win in their group: the 2nd to 4th drop into a single elimination gauntlet, where they play every other team from the remaining groups who placed 2nd to 4th in their respective groups. Which will ultimately end in a knockout final, where only four teams can come out on top.
Ultimately, the betting favorite this year comes down to who can top their groups initially. The teams who place first have a huge advantage going straight to the playoffs: they will be able to rest, recover and strategise for the upcoming playoffs. Any team that places below first will need to play several more games just to try make it to the playoffs, making any team that is not an established team a betting underdog.
Bet now on the favorite for The International 2026
The Two Favorites: PARIVISION and Team Yandex at 4.8
Both of these teams are currently the tied favorites on multiple betting brands, including BC.Game and Stake. Here’s a breakdown of both:
PARIVISION - 4.8
When PARIVISION have been on form over the last year, they have looked practically unstoppable. Their side has picked up some pretty big league wins over 2026, such as winning the DreamLeague Season 29 with a headliner performance that put many of their competitors to shame.
Their overall record trails behind their competitors in Yandex though, as they have been absent from some major events, so many oddsmakers classify them as inconsistent. However, every time they have shown up to an event, they have dominated, and have had very few bad performances. They are dangerous, on form and seem to be hitting their stride at the perfect time.
Team PARIVISION
Team Yandex - 4.8
Team Yandex have only been around for a year, and what they have accomplished in that year is genuinely staggering. Since late 2025, they picked up a DreamLeague Season 27 title, and a BLAST Slam VII title on top of that. Considering who they feature on their team, led by Saksa, watson and DM, they have a star studded team. This roster is strong and their performances are even stronger with their talents combined. They are another team that have very rarely suffered any losses, so they will no doubt perform strongly in the TI this year.
Team Yandex
The Dark Horses: The Four Teams with A Genuine Chance of Winnings
Just trailing behind the two favorites in terms of odds, is four teams. These four teams aren’t quite as strong as PARIVISION or Yandex, but they are strong teams that could realistically pick up a win in this tournament if they are on form.
1️⃣ BetBoom Team — 5.8
This team is notorious for pulling out amazing performances at the least likely of times.They have four separate Top 3 finishes in major tournaments, and even picked up Wallachia Season 8 trophy, so they are no strangers to being championship team.
BetBooms only downfall is their continued inconsistency, which could affect their ambitions of being in the conversation.
2️⃣ Team Spirit - 5.8
Team Spirit have won several TI championships in the past, and they have definitely solidified themselves as absolute legends of the game. Their recent performances in other tournaments have been slightly disappointing, leaving them in only the Top 8, and the Top 3, rather than dominating like they are known to do.
But, given their leader Miposhka has returned after a hiatus, hopes can be high that Team Spirit return to their former glory.
3️⃣ Team Falcon - 7.0
Team Falcon are the defending 2025 TI champions, and had a phenomenal year last year. But, in 2026, they have been a little underwhelming. They did place 3rd in the Wallachia S8, and have been placing in the top 5 in other tournaments, but they can be slow starters and it takes them some time to find their stride. That being said, their status and their ability to perform in high pressure is what makes them likely challengers to go back to back.
4️⃣ Aurora Gaming - 7.5
This team has been moving from strength to strength this year, going from being eliminated early last year, to gradually improving their performances in several other leagues this year. They have stacked impressive runner up finished in both the Wallachia S8 and the DreamLeague S28, and continue to score upset victories over more decorated teams. Don’t sleep on Aurora, as they seem to be making a habit of defying the odds and winning in upsets.
Our best eSports Betting Sites for The International 2026
4.8/5
4.7/5
4.7/5
Our Pick for The Underdog: Team Liquid at 13.0
It’s always worth it to have an underdog you want to back in the Dota 2 TI, as upsets consistently happen in this tournament. But, if you’re looking to back one underdog specifically to try nail down a big wager, we would recommed going with Team Liquid at 13.0.
Team Liquid are a legacy team that have won the TI several times in the past, and they started the year strong by winning the BLAST Slam VI in February. However, since then, they seem to have fallen off a cliff in terms of performance.
They have lost their form, and while they have managed to hit the top 8 a couple of times more, they haven’t really found that early year form. They need to rediscover that form they had early season, but it is possible they could beat the odds and pull out a win here.
Place your bet now on the TI 2026 favorites in Shanghai
The Bottom Line for Betting Odds
Given how the odds are looking on top crypto esports betting platforms like Stake and BC.Game, it’s clear that this field is a competitive one.
The two favorites being placed at 4.8, and the challengers being around the 7.0 betting mark shows that there is no runaway, dominant favorite to win the TI 15. This is a genuine coin toss, and while Yandex and PARIVISION have been in the best form as of late, any of the teams we highlighted for their betting odds could take it home this year.
As we said, it all depends on who wins their respective group stages early: as the strategic advantage of placing 1st, compared to even 2nd, means the difference between rest, recovery and strategising. Who will pick up that $2M prize in Shanghai is difficult to predict, but there are plenty of strong betting options you can back, with our betting guide going into it in more detail.
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