North America Regional Qualifier: Qualify to The International

Platform comparison

Active sub-markets

Market context

The underlying event is the Dota 2 North American Regional Qualifier for The International 2026, running online from 24 to 26 June 2026, with one slot to the Group Stage. Today, the qualifier is live, and the market shows 0% implied probability for any North American team to qualify, a stance that mirrors historical collapses where regional contenders failed to secure spots despite strong pre-tournament form. In past years, North America’s single slot has often been won by teams that entered as underdogs, yet the current zero probability suggests either a lack of credible contenders or a structural barrier, such as the qualifier being cancelled or the Group Stage list not published before 15 August 2026, which would resolve the market to “Other”[2][6].

Traders should monitor the official announcement of the full tournament field, expected by 28 June, and watch for any delays in publishing the Group Stage participant list, a key dependency for market resolution[2]. Recent news from the Dota 2 official site confirms the qualifier schedule and the single-slot allocation, but no team names have been confirmed yet, leaving the outcome uncertain[2]. On platform comparison, Polymarket displays decimal odds (e.g., 1.00 for “Other”), while Kalshi and Betfair use implied probability (0% YES), creating divergent risk perceptions; fee structures also vary, with Polymarket charging 0–2% per trade versus Kalshi’s 0% maker fee but 0.5% taker fee, and KYC reach differs, as Kalshi requires US residency while Polymarket is global, affecting liquidity on this specific market[3][4].

Sources: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5

Methodology

This page compares North America Regional Qualifier: Qualify to The International specifically across Polymarket, Kalshi, Betfair Exchange and Smarkets. Live odds come from the Polymarket order book; the other venues' contract details are maintained manually because their APIs aren't directly comparable. Every CTA routes to Kalshi Alternative UK, which mirrors the Polymarket order book at 0% fees.

Resolution & payout

Polymarket settles via UMA Optimistic Oracle on Polygon. A proposer posts the outcome with a bond, the two-hour window runs, then the smart contract pays USDC.

Kalshi settles USD through the CFTC-regulated clearinghouse — the cleanest variant, with heavier KYC. Betfair Exchange settles in account currency (GBP/EUR), net of 2-5% commission. Smarkets follows the same model as Betfair with a lower default 2% commission.

FAQ

Where can I trade this market with the lowest fees?

On Kalshi Alternative UK, which mirrors the Polymarket order book at 0% fees. Kalshi charges up to 7% per trade; Betfair Exchange takes 2-5% commission on net winnings.

Is this market available outside the US?

Kalshi Alternative UK is available in most jurisdictions where Polymarket isn't directly accessible. Polymarket itself is geo-blocked in the US/UK/EU. Always check local regulations.

How fast are USDC deposits?

Polygon credits deposits after 12 confirmations — usually under 30 seconds. Withdrawals follow the same path and land back in your wallet within minutes.

Do I need to KYC for this market?

Not under $1,500 of lifetime trading volume. Above that threshold, Kalshi Alternative UK triggers a quick verification flow that finishes in minutes.

How reliable are the quoted odds?

The YES/NO percentages are the live mid-prices of the Polymarket order book. On deep markets they move every few seconds; on thinner ones you'll see short plateaus.