OG’s Road to The International 2026: Can Dota’s Two-Time Champion Win a Third Aegis? 

OG esports have secured their first appearance at The International in four years. The organisation behind the $OG Fan TokenⓇ Digital Asset will now return to Shanghai, where it last lifted the Aegis of Champions in 2019. 

OG will compete at The International 2026 in August after defeating Grind Back 3-1 in the Southeast Asia regional qualifier final, marking the return of one of the most popular esports teams to DOTA 2’s premier gaming tournament.

One of the most recognisable esports organizations in the world, OG has not appeared at The International since 2022. The team recently rebuilt its Dota 2 lineup and will make its comeback in the same city where it completed the only successful title defence in the tournament’s history.

The 16-team field at this year’s tournament includes defending champion Team Falcons, Team Liquid, Team Spirit and several other established contenders. 

While OG may not be considered among the leading favourites to win the competition, it would be careless to dismiss a team that earned Southeast Asia’s only qualifying place and recorded a top-four finish at BLAST Slam VI earlier this year. 

“Shanghai is a special place in OG’s history. As we return to the city where we lifted the Aegis in 2019, we focus on the community that has supported us year after year,” commented Xavier Oswald, OG esports CEO. “The global success of the $OG fan token proves we have the most passionate fanbase in esports. With The International 2026 fast approaching, we are pushing the boundaries of fan technology to ensure we continue redefining the OG fan experience.”

How Strong is OG’s Dota 2 Following? 

OG’s standing within Dota 2 has remained strong even without a championship victory this year. The organisation’s tournament finishes have ranged from third to 15th during 2026, but its audience has continued to compete with those of teams producing more consistent results. 

Indeed, OG still retains the largest following of Dota 2 fans on Facebook, and is among the most-followed teams on Instagram and X.

The team’s loyal following is all the more remarkable given that it only operates three gaming teams across its entire brand, while competitors operate across more than ten teams, giving them far more fixtures, players and content to generate engagement. 

OG is one of the five most-followed esports organisations in the world and some estimates suggest that its supporters account for roughly 25% of Dota 2 viewership. 

How Did OG Qualify for The International 2026? 

OG entered the Southeast Asia closed qualifier as one of four directly invited teams, but still had to negotiate a regional bracket offering only one place at The International. 

They began with victories over Interactive Philippines and GLYPH before beating REKONIX 2-1 in the upper-bracket final. Grind Back then took the opening game of the best-of-five grand final, but OG won the next three to secure a 3-1 victory and their place in Shanghai.

The result vindicated a late roster decision. Veteran Filipino player Marc Polo Luis “Raven” Fausto joined shortly before the qualifiers, completing a line-up that also features John Anthony “Natsumi-” Vargas, Erin Jasper “Yopaj” Ferrer, Timothy “TIMS” Randrup and Rolen Andre Gabriel “Skem” Ong. 

What Does the Return Mean for $OG FAN TOKENⓇ Holders? 

OG won their first Aegis at The International 2018 in Vancouver. One year later, they beat Team Liquid 3-1 in Shanghai to become the first organisation to win The International twice and the first to retain the title. 

No member of the current playing roster was part of those victories, so history should not be mistaken for a competitive advantage. It does, however, give this return a significance that another host city could not. 

OG’s last appearance in Shanghai ended with the organisation at the summit of Dota 2. Seven years later, a new team will arrive carrying the same name, expectations and uniquely heavy piece of history. 

Chiliz Group acquired a 51% controlling stake in OG in September 2025, with co-founders Johan “n0tail” Sundstein and Sébastien “Ceb” Debs remaining involved in its next competitive chapter. The stated ambition was to make OG a major force on the international stage again. 

Start of a New Era for OG?

The timing gives the $OG Fan TokenⓇ digital asset a sporting narrative that doesn’t need to be manufactured. OG are returning to the most important tournament in their game, in the city most closely associated with their greatest achievement. 

What distinguishes $OG, which launched in 2020, is the scale of the audience behind it and its established record of use. Holders have taken part in team polls, merchandise decisions and player Q&A selections, while one previous campaign gave a holder an all-expenses-paid trip to Singapore as OG competed at The International 2022. 

Following the Chiliz acquisition, Socios.com became the exclusive wallet and engagement platform for $OG. In 2025, $OG became the first esports token to achieve a $100M market cap, rising to the top of the Fan TokenⓇ market cap rankings.

Now, the team roster has changed, but the game — and the brand — remains the same. 

Stay tuned for more updates as the start of the tournament draws nearer.

Greg Thomson: Fan Tokens Market Reporter