51% of wins for the Forces of Darkness and 12 ignored heroes — statistics from the closed qualifiers for The International 2026
In the closed regional qualifiers for The International 2026, 12 heroes never appeared in matches, and the wins were split with a slight edge in favor of the Forces of Darkness: 51% versus 49% for the Forces of Light. The tournament statistics were compiled by analyst Ilya “Leamare” Silakov-Volynsky and the DotaBuff portal.
A total of 181 maps were played during the regional qualifiers. Players placed 7,100 wards, killed 526 Roshans, 530 couriers, and over 527,000 creeps, as well as performed 826 buybacks and recorded 3 rampages.
South America
In total, teams in the South American region played 39 maps. On average, matches lasted 40 minutes and 47 seconds.
The most frequently picked heroes during the draft phase were Tiny (15 picks), Hoodwink (15), and Bane (14). The top spots on the ban list were taken by Treant Protector (32 bans), Shadow Fiend (25), and Clockwerk (22). When considering heroes who participated in at least 10 matches, the highest win rates were recorded by Doom (87.5% wins), Puck (83.33%), and Timbersaw (75%).
Meanwhile, the following heroes did not appear even once in either the picks or bans: Alchemist, Arc Warden, Bloodseeker, Bounty Hunter, Chaos Knight, Chen, Dark Willow, Dazzle, Dragon Knight, Earthshaker, Elder Titan, Io, Legion Commander, Lina, Magnus, Marci, Mars, Mirana, Ogre Magi, Oracle, Outworld Destroyer, Pugna, Razor, Riki, Sand King, Spectre, Sven, Tinker, Troll Warlord, and Warlock.
Key Qualification Metrics:
- The team with the most games played is LGD Gaming (10 maps, 90% win rate);
- Team with the widest hero pool — Amaru Gaming (53 heroes);
- Team with the smallest hero pool — Lindorfitos (37 heroes);
- Longest map — PlayTime vs. LGD Gaming (1 hour, 17 minutes, 59 seconds);
- Shortest game — PlayTime vs. Estar Backs (23 minutes, 12 seconds).
North America
A total of 13 maps were played during the North American qualifiers. On average, each map lasted about 33 minutes and 46 seconds.
The top three most-picked heroes were Rubick (7 matches), Kez (6), and Snapfire (5). Clockwerk (11 bans), Puck (11), and Treant Protector (11) were banned more often than any others. The most effective heroes, among those who appeared in more than 10 matches, were Lone Druid (100% win rate), Snapfire (100%), and Hoodwink (100%).
The following heroes were completely overlooked by all teams: Abaddon, Alchemist, Ancient Apparition, Anti-Mage, Arc Warden, Bloodseeker, Bristleback, Broodmother, Centaur Warrunner, Chaos Knight, Chen, Clinkz, Crystal Maiden, Dark Willow, Dazzle, Death Prophet, Disruptor, Dragon Knight, Earthshaker, Elder Titan, Io, Jakiro, Juggernaut, Legion Commander, Leshrac, Lina, Luna, Magnus, Marci, Meepo, Mirana, Monkey King, Morphling, Naga Siren, Nyx Assassin, Ogre Magi, Omniknight, Oracle, Outworld Destroyer, Phantom Assassin, Primal Beast, Pugna, Queen of Pain, Razor, Riki, Sand King, Shadow Demon, Shadow Shaman, Slark, Spectre, Spirit Breaker, Sven, Tinker, Troll Warlord, Ursa, Venomancer, Visage, Warlock, Weaver, Witch Doctor, Wraith King.
Key selection metrics:
- The team with the most games played — 4 Anchors and Ilmeria (9 maps, 44.44% win rate);
- The team with the widest hero pool — 4 Anchors and Ilmeria (40 heroes);
- The team with the smallest hero pool — GG Boom (26 heroes);
- Longest map — GG Boom vs. 4 Anchors and Ilmeria (56 minutes 49 seconds);
- Shortest game — GG Boom vs. 4 Anchors and Ilmeria (14 minutes 41 seconds).
Europe
In total, teams played 63 maps in the European qualifiers. The average game time per map was 43 minutes and 59 seconds.
The most popular picks in the drafts were Clockwerk (29 picks), Bane (25), and Ember Spirit (21). The most frequently banned heroes were Lone Druid (61 bans), Treant Protector (51), and Puck (39) were banned more often than others. Among the heroes used in at least 10 matches, Io (100% win rate), Magnus (80%), and Timbersaw (80%) demonstrated the highest win rates.
Meanwhile, the following heroes did not appear even once in either the picks or the bans: Abaddon, Arc Warden, Bloodseeker, Bounty Hunter, Chaos Knight, Crystal Maiden, Dazzle, Dragon Knight, Earthshaker, Elder Titan, Gyrocopter, Jakiro, Kunkka, Legion Commander, Morphling, Naga Siren, Nyx Assassin, Omniknight, Oracle, Outworld Destroyer, Phantom Assassin, Pudge, Pugna, Razor, Riki, Sand King, Troll Warlord, Visage, Warlock, and Wraith King.
Key Qualification Metrics:
- The team with the most games played is L1GA TEAM (14 maps, 64.3% win rate);
- Team with the widest hero pool — Power Rangers (44 heroes);
- Team with the smallest hero pool — Nigma Galaxy (35 heroes);
- Longest map — Yellow Submarine vs. MODUS (1 hour, 18 minutes, 59 seconds);
- The shortest game — TEAM VISION vs. Power Rangers (27 minutes, 17 seconds).
China
A total of 29 games were played in the Chinese qualifiers. On average, each map lasted 43 minutes and 42 seconds.
The most frequently picked heroes during the draft phase were Storm Spirit (14 picks), Rubick (13), and Phoenix (12). The top spots on the ban list were taken by Lone Druid (29 bans), Treant Protector (27), and Puck (24). When considering heroes who appeared in at least 10 matches, Brewmaster (100% win rate), Largo (83.33%), and Necrophos (80%) had the highest win rates.
The following heroes were completely ignored by all teams: Abaddon, Anti-Mage, Arc Warden, Bloodseeker, Bounty Hunter, Broodmother, Chaos Knight, Chen, Crystal Maiden, Dark Willow, Dazzle, Dragon Knight, Earth Spirit, Elder Titan, Enchantress, Enigma, Grimstroke, Gyrocopter, Invoker, Jakiro, Juggernaut, Kunkka, Legion Commander, Leshrac, Lina, Luna, Magnus, Mars, Medusa, Ogre Magi, Omniknight, Oracle, Outworld Destroyer, Phantom Assassin, Phantom Lancer, Pudge, Pugna, Razor, Riki, Ringmaster, Sand King, Spectre, Sven, Tinker, Troll Warlord, Vengeful Spirit, Visage, Void Spirit, Wraith King, Zeus.
Key selection metrics:
- The team with the most games played is Vici Gaming (12 maps, 66.67% win rate);
- Team with the widest hero pool — Vici Gaming (48 heroes);
- Team with the smallest hero pool — Grey Track (25 heroes);
- Longest map — Vici Gaming vs. Yakult Brothers (1 hour, 32 minutes, 56 seconds);
- The shortest game — Game Master vs. Grey Track (21 minutes).
Southeast Asia
A total of 44 maps were played in the Southeast Asia qualifiers. On average, teams finished games in 45 minutes and 54 seconds.
The most picked heroes were: Hoodwink (21 games), Puck (20), and Doom (18). The heroes most frequently banned were Lone Druid (44 bans), Clockwerk (38), and Treant Protector (31). The most effective heroes, among those who appeared in more than 10 matches, were Dark Seer (83.33% win rate), Necrophos (75%), and Terrorblade (66.67%).
The following heroes were completely overlooked by all teams: Abaddon, Arc Warden, Bloodseeker, Bristleback, Broodmother, Chaos Knight, Dark Willow, Dazzle, Death Prophet, Earthshaker, Elder Titan, Grimstroke, Jakiro, Legion Commander, Leshrac, Lina, Mars, Mirana, Morphling, Nyx Assassin, Ogre Magi, Outworld Destroyer, Phantom Assassin, Pudge, Pugna, Queen of Pain, Razor, Riki, Ringmaster, Sniper, Spectre, Tinker, Troll Warlord, Venomancer, Visage, Witch Doctor, and Wraith King.
Key Qualifier Statistics:
- The team with the most games played is Grind Back (17 maps, 64.7% win rate);
- Team with the widest hero pool — Grind Back (46 heroes);
- Team with the smallest hero pool — GLYPH (34 heroes);
- Longest map — OG vs. InterActive Philippines (1 hour, 21 minutes, 46 seconds);
- Shortest game — Grind Back vs. Carstensz Esports (24 minutes 41 seconds).
The International 2026 will take place in Shanghai from August 13 to 23. A total of seven invitations have been issued, and nine more teams will be determined based on the results of the qualifiers. The initial prize pool for this year’s tournament is $1,600,000.
Photo: Valve.
