I did not anticipate my first information article of 2026 to be this one. Former Dota 2 professional Henrik ‘AdmiralBulldog’ Ahnberg is promoting his TI 2013 championship ring on Ebay – sure, I double took, too. However the itemizing is certainly reputable, as confirmed by the person himself, who additionally states that the sale is not out of “desperation.” As a substitute, it is merely to generate some money, and going by the present determine, he’ll probably make loads of it.
For these of you who aren’t esports obsessives like me, Alliance’s Dota 2 workforce took down Navi three to 2 again in 2013, incomes the squad each the MOBA’s premier trophy and its related championship rings. The workforce has struggled since, nonetheless, with AdmiralBulldog departing quickly after their TI3 victory to stream full-time as an alternative. He is performed in myriad showmatches, lent his vocal abilities to numerous TIs, and stays one of many biggest Nature’s Prophet gamers to this point – briefly, he is nonetheless fairly GOATed.
Think about my shock, then, when a list exhibiting each the Dota 2 legend and the TI3 championship ring appeared on Ebay. Dated Saturday January 3, the pictures present varied shut ups of the ring, highlighting the sport’s emblem alongside Alliance’s, in addition to a black velvet field, and an inner engraving that reads ‘AdmiralBulldog.’
Entitled “The Worldwide 2013 Champion Ring Dota 2,” the put up’s description reads: “Each workforce will get rings for successful The Worldwide. If you would like a bit of historical past that is the one from the Navi vs Alliance epic finals.” Situation-wise, it is marked as “used” with a notice that cautions: “The black materials comes off very simply, had it fastened as soon as however oil from fingers will get rid simply, not a toy to mess around with. Some black coating is lacking on entrance however straightforward and low cost to repair at an expert jewellery [sic]. Comes with unique field, gentle battery is not working.”
On the time of writing, the ring’s beginning value is $70,000, or you should buy it now for $90,000. There aren’t any bids in the meanwhile, however on condition that the public sale ends on Saturday January 10 at 2pm BST (6am PST / 9am EST / 3pm CEST), I believe we’ll see that value skyrocket round then – Ebay says that 78 individuals are “watching it,” which it assures me means “folks need this.”
There’s one query, although: is that this itemizing even legit? The reply, my buddies, is sure. In a Monday January 5 X put up, AdmiralBulldog confirms that “sure the itemizing is actual, no it isn’t being offered out of desperation. It is only a ring, an superior ring, I really like the ring, however I BELIEVE its financial worth exceeds the sentimental worth to me.”
I believe we’ll in all probability see the ring go for round nearer to the 150k mark, if not 200k relying on how fervent the Dota 2 fanbase is feeling on Saturday. That is, in any case, a one-of-a-kind, never-see-again merchandise. So, when you’ve obtained some Christmas money mendacity round (about 200k particularly), possibly that is the second you have been ready for. In the event you, like me, cannot precisely afford this one, although, then you may cry over the truth that folks can as soon as the bidding wraps up.
