5 groups we anticipate to outline the Dota 2 esports scene in 2026

2025 has seen the decline of a number of Dota 2 groups that had been mainstays within the aggressive scene. Whereas a few of the present groups thrived beneath new administration, new rosters, and a change of their drafting model, the opposite groups couldn’t replicate the identical success. Many standard groups from the previous fell off in 2025 and must regain their momentum.

Of all of the Dota 2 groups which have struggled within the final 12 months, we really feel like these 5 groups have an opportunity to regain their previous glory and develop into the groups to look at in 2026.

With the unpredictability of as we speak’s meta, it’s potential for almost any workforce to make it large, given their adaptability. Nonetheless, solely a handful of groups have lived as much as the requirements these 5 groups set throughout their primes.

OG has been a family identify within the Dota 2 scene since 2018. All through the previous few years, the group has undergone a number of roster modifications, by no means fairly discovering its identification. OG even did not qualify for TI 2025, an occasion the workforce is synonymous with. Nonetheless, the brand new SEA roster for OG Esports appears to be as promising as its 2022 roster and may very well be an entertaining Dota 2 workforce to look at in 2026.

We really feel like if OG maintains their SEA roster and focuses extra on creating its present expertise beneath succesful management, the workforce might very properly recapture the OG magic of the previous.

Workforce Secret has all the time maintained a excessive profile since its inception in 2014. The Puppey-led squad has seen a number of iterations over time, and its Dota 2 roster issues have affected Workforce Secret’s long-term success, very similar to OG. Whereas the workforce constantly performs properly, it tends to be outplayed by youthful, sooner groups in its area.

Workforce Secret might get again on monitor in 2026 by committing to a united roster that follows an identical imaginative and prescient. There may be early challenges relating to adapting to the Dota 2 meta, however with Puppey’s management, Workforce Secret will overcome them.

Two-time TI champions, Workforce Liquid, has been one of many Dota 2 groups struggling to take care of its type in 2025. Workforce Liquid’s greatest disadvantage in 2025 was its overly secure method to drafting, preferring stability over creativity. This led to it being outdrafted by sooner, extra oppressive groups like Workforce Falcons, costing it a better placement at TI 2025.

Workforce Liquid might regain its momentum in 2026 by shifting its drafting model to its strengths: early tempo and map strain. A strong early recreation presence will translate to sturdy late-game timings that might assist it shut video games higher.

After a powerful begin to the 12 months, Nigma Galaxy ultimately grew to become probably the most underperforming Dota 2 groups of 2025. The workforce usually has drafts that are typically fairly unpredictable, however that always seems to be the downfall of its personal video games. Usually, Nigma Galaxy’s drafts are tough to execute, and after a few poor late-game selections, it typically loses early leads.

Nigma Galaxy would profit tremendously from easier-to-execute drafts with higher shot-calling in the direction of the later levels of the sport. Doing this might make Nigma Galaxy among the best Dota 2 groups to look at in 2026.

Each Dota 2 fan is aware of Workforce Spirit, the two-time TI-winning workforce that confirmed viewers what a real “miracle run” was. After a dominant mid-season run by profitable the Esports World Cup, it regarded like 2025 was going to be Workforce Spirit’s third TI-winning 12 months. Sadly, the workforce was taken out early, with a number of youthful groups determining play across the veterans.

Workforce Spirit might rectify that in 2026 by increasing their hero swimming pools, offering extra decide flexibility to its cores, particularly Yatoro and Collapse. If Workforce Spirit might re-embrace its historic energy, that of meta-breaking drafts, it might catch most youthful groups off guard and develop into probably the most thrilling Dota 2 groups to look at in 2026.

Since we’re fairly early into the 7.40 period, it’s comprehensible that many older groups are dealing with meta points in Dota 2. Because the aggressive season pushes ahead from February, it’s fairly doubtless that a lot of the underperforming groups of 2025 may find yourself stunning viewers as soon as once more. Hopefully, a rebalanced Largo will enter the event pool quickly to shake issues up much more going ahead.