The excitement surrounding The International 2026 (TI15) extends well beyond the tournament arena. As the playoffs approach, iconic Dota 2 characters have begun appearing across Shanghai. A major highlight is the installation of massive statues of Axe and Queen of Pain at one of the city’s entertainment hubs.
Photos of the two heroes were shared by a Reddit user visiting one of the TI 2026-themed locations in Shanghai. These large-scale statues, situated in public spaces, are part of a series of activities organized by Valve to celebrate this year’s The International.
These installations have effectively transformed Shanghai into a giant playground for Dota 2 fans.
Ax and Queen of Pain Present at Bailian ZX Fun Mall
Based on information previously released by Valve, Queen of Pain, Axe, and Pudge have been placed at the Bailian ZX Fun Mall. Consequently, the statues of Axe and Queen of Pain seen in the photo are part of a special TI 2026 initiative distributed across various locations in Shanghai.
The statues’ impressive size makes these two heroes a natural focal point for visitors. For Dota 2 fans in Shanghai during the tournament, installations like these offer a chance to experience the TI atmosphere outside the competition arena.
Valve’s move also demonstrates that The apizeus77 International is positioned as more than just an esports competition. The tournament is brought into the public sphere, allowing the general public and fans who do not attend the venue in person to still experience the excitement of the event.
Axe and Queen of Pain aren’t the only heroes securing a special spot in Shanghai. Valve has prepared several themed locations featuring popular Dota 2 characters. One such location features Juggernaut at the Shanghai Wujiaochang Wanda Plaza, while fans can find Windranger at the Lujiazui Super Brand Mall from August 12 to 18.
The program then moves to Taikoo Li Qiantan. From August 18 to 24, the venue will showcase the Aegis of Champions, Drow Ranger, Crystal Maiden, and Juggernaut. With so many themed locations available, visitors to Shanghai have even more reasons to hunt for these TI 2026-themed spots in between matches.
This hero installation program complements The International 2026, currently taking place in Shanghai, China. The tournament, held from August 13 to 23, brings together the world’s best Dota 2 teams.
Following the conclusion of the group and elimination stages, the competition has now entered the playoff phase. The main matches will be held at the SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center starting August 20.
At this stage, every match becomes increasingly critical, as eliminated teams must end their journey at TI 2026, while championship contenders continue their fight to lift the Aegis of Champions.
Beyond vying for the world championship title, participants are also competing for a share of a prize pool that has surpassed US$2.9 million.
This figure is set to rise as sales of various TI-related items—such as club packs and commentator bundles—continue. This system allows the community to directly contribute to the total prize money ultimately awarded to the participants.
For Shanghai, hosting TI 2026 offers a chance to showcase a different side of the esports industry. The presence of statues featuring heroes like Axe, Queen of Pain, and Pudge brings the tournament closer to the local community.
With the playoffs about to begin, Shanghai has become more than just a competition venue; the city has transformed into an integral part of the The International 2026 experience, with Dota 2 heroes appearing amidst the daily lives of its residents.