The champion is already known: community predictions for The International 2026 playoffs
The playoffs of the year's main tournament, The International 2026, will begin tomorrow. Only eight teams remain in the race for the title of the best team in the world, while community members have already shared their predictions for the final stage.
The majority believe that Team Vision will make its way through the upper bracket and become the tournament champion. Team Liquid is the second-most popular pick to win the event.
During the group stage, Vision won all of its series, while Liquid suffered only one loss, against Team Spirit. Interestingly, Nigma Galaxy, which also finished the first stage with a 4:1 series record, is predicted by almost no one to advance beyond the second round of the lower bracket.
Many also rate the chances of Iron Wing (1Win Team) and reigning The International 2025 champion Team Falcons highly, despite both teams losing two series in the first stage.
Meanwhile, almost no one believes in Spirit's success: few predict that the team will advance beyond the second round of the lower bracket, with the team's inconsistency cited as the main reason.
Meanwhile, German esports player and analyst Maurice KheZu Gutmann noted that predicting the results of The International is very difficult, as the tournament often unfolds in unexpected ways.
There is a lot of randomness here. Some series are basically 50-50, for example, Iron Wing against Team Spirit. On the one hand, Spirit are not in the best form, but they have had a few days to prepare, and I don't know what to expect.
I think Team Vision will win the championship. Their new coach Puppey has helped them a lot, so I think they and Falcons, as the reigning TI champions, will make it to the final.
Former professional player and streamer Andrii Ghostik Kadyk also predicted that Volodymyr No[o]ne Minenko's team would reach the final, but picked Team Liquid as the winner.
I understand that Vision played well in the group stage, Satanic is in great form, and they also have Puppey as their coach, so they have a very good chance. But I want to believe in Liquid and in an incredible 3:2 grand final.
It is worth noting that exactly one day remains before predictions close and the deadline to assemble a fantasy roster. The rewards will be distributed on 27.08.2026, while the best predictors will receive a landscape of their choice, several treasures featuring unique colors for Immortal items, and the opportunity to receive an Aegis trophy for free, which was previously awarded only for reaching level 1,000 of the Battle Pass.
The International 2026 will take place from 13.08.2026 to 23.08.2026. Sixteen teams will compete in the tournament, and the prize pool has already exceeded $2,800,000. You can follow the championship in detail in the coverage.
Earlier, CyberScore reported that Vici Gaming disbanded its roster immediately after being eliminated from the tournament.
by CyberScore