What artifact is awarded to the champions of Dota 2’s annual The International tournament?

The Aegis of Champions is awarded to the champions of Dota 2’s annual The International tournament.

The trophy is based on the Aegis of the Immortal, a shield-like item from Dota 2’s fictional universe. Its design gives the championship a distinctive symbol, while the winning players and organization also receive a share of the tournament’s prize money.

The Aegis is sometimes incorrectly described as a conventional cup or shield from a real-world sport. In Dota 2, however, its name and appearance deliberately connect the esports event to the game’s mythology. The International began in 2011 and became one of esports’ most prominent tournaments, helped by the large community-funded prize pools associated with its Battle Pass system.