A. General

1. SteelSeries is the sponsor and organizer of the Cosplay Competition at The International 2026 ("The International") event in Shanghai, China.

2. Contestants must attend pre-judging to be eligible to win.

3. Contestants will be judged based on their Dota 2 costume and presentation.

4. SteelSeries will award a total prize pool of $18,500 USD to the winning contestants.

5. The contest will occur in two phases

   • During pre-judging, 10 Winners will be selected based on the judges' criteria.

   • Of these 10 Winners:

     • 6 contestants will be designated as Runners-Up

     • 4 contestants will be designated as Skill Winners

   • Winners will be announced during the Winner Presentation Event on the Main Stage.

6. All 10 Winners will receive:

   • A 4-day General Admission ticket to The International for themselves.

   • A 4-day General Admission ticket for one handler.

7. SteelSeries reserves the right to modify:

   • Competition requirements

   • Competition format

   • Schedule

   • Prize pool distribution Participants will be notified by email of any changes.

B. Sponsor

SteelSeries / GN Hearing A/S Lautrupbjerg 7 DK-2750 Ballerup, Denmark, SteelSeries and its contractors will manage the contest.

C. Competition Location

1. The competition will take place in

   Shanghai, China, at the Oriental Sports Arena, as part of The International Main Event from August 20–23, 2026

2. The pre-judging event will be held on

   August 19, 2026, at Perfect world Studio (完美世界工作室) . Details will be provided to qualifying contestants in early August.

3. The 10 Winners must attend the Winner Presentation Rehearsal on August 23, 2026.

   • Timing is subject to change or cancellation depending on Dota 2 match scheduling.

4. The Winner Presentation Event will take place on August 23, 2026

   The 10 Winners must attend a photo session at the SteelSeries booth immediately following the August 23 finals.

D. Eligibility

Contestants must:

a. Age Requirement Be 18 years of age or older as of July 1, 2026.

b. Tax Responsibility Different countries have different taxation rules regarding prize winnings.Participants are solely responsible for determining and paying any applicable taxes. Contestants concerned about tax liability should consult a tax advisor.

c. Attendance Requirement Be physically present in Shanghai, China:

• For the pre-judging event on August 19, 2026

• For the Winner Presentation Event on August 23, 2026 (if selected as a finalist)

d. Submission Requirement

Complete the online submission form, including:

• Contact information

• A JPG reference image of the intended cosplay character

• Work-in-progress (WIP) materials Incomplete, illegible, or distorted submissions will not be accepted.

E. Participation Requirements

1. Contestants consent to the use of:

   • Their likeness

   • Costume information

   • Event participation for event-related marketing and promotional activities.

2. All submission materials must be received by: July 20, 2026, at 23:59 CST

   Participants must provide:

   • Reference photos

   • Work-in-progress photos Failure to provide required materials by the deadline may result in disqualification.

3. Valid submissions must:

   • Depict a character from Dota 2

   • Be appropriate for all audiences

4. No nudity or graphic content is permitted.

5. The following individuals are not eligible:

   • Employees of SteelSeries

   • Employees of companies associated with the contest

   • Immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings, children)

   • Household members of the above

6. Organizers reserve the right to reject registrations from individuals who:

   • Violated rules in previous competitions

   • Behaved inappropriately or belligerently toward fellow participants

F. Costume Requirements

1. Costumes must represent a Dota 2 character

2. Craftsmanship Requirement:

   • Costumes must be handcrafted or at least 80% handcrafted

   • Store-bought accessories and components may constitute no more than 20% of the finished costume.

3. Props and Weapons:

   • Props may include edged weapons and bows.

   • Props must not be capable of causing bodily harm.

   Prohibited items include:

   • Sharp-edged weapons

   • Projectile weapons

   • Metal props

   • Functional bows or crossbows capable of firing projectiles SteelSeries reserves the right to remove any prop deemed unsafe or inappropriate.

4. The following are prohibited:

   • Open flames

   • Liquids

   • Powders

   • Flash paper

5. Due to venue fire regulations:

   • Cosplayers must be accompanied by a handler while moving around the venue.

   • Handlers must be able to assist participants in safely exiting the venue.

   • Multi-person costumes may not move around the venue except when escorted to the stage.

6. Laser pointers are prohibited.

7. Liquids, gels, slippery substances, or messy materials are prohibited.

8. Costumes must be sufficiently maneuverable to enter and exit the presentation area.

9. Intellectual Property:

   • Contestants may freely use Dota 2 intellectual property owned by Valve.

   • If a costume incorporates any non-Valve intellectual property, the contestant must:

     • Own the copyright, or

     • Have explicit permission from the copyright owner.

Prize Summary

All Winners receive:

• 4-day General Admission ticket for themselves

• 4-day General Admission ticket for one handler

• Main Stage recognition during the Winner Presentation Event

• Participation in the official SteelSeries photo session after the finals