The annual HLTV Awards, presented by 1xBet, are set to take place on January 10, 2026, in Belgrade, Serbia. This highly anticipated ceremony will be held at the Blue Hall of the Sava Centar, with a live broadcast starting at 18:00 CET on HLTV’s Twitch channel. The event celebrates remarkable achievements within the Counter-Strike community, honoring exceptional players, teams, on-air talent, and creators who have made significant contributions throughout the year.
The nominees for this year’s awards feature a mix of established stars and influential community figures. Among the prominent names are mezii, ZywOo, and donk, alongside well-known community personalities such as Freya Spiers and OhnePixel. The awards are divided into three categories: the Panel Awards, determined by industry representatives; the Community Awards, based on fan voting; and the HLTV Awards, chosen internally by HLTV.
Key Awards and Hall of Fame Inductions
One of the highlights of the evening will be the announcement of the Player of the Year, which follows HLTV’s annual countdown of the top 20 players of the season. Additional awards, including Team of the Year and Rookie of the Year, will also be revealed during the ceremony.
This year’s awards will see three legends of Counter-Strike inducted into the HLTV Hall of Fame: Raphael “cogu” Camargo, Yegor “markeloff” Markelov, and Olof “olofmeister” Kajbjer. Each inductee will be honored on stage and celebrated through dedicated profiles, editorial features, and in-game Hall of Fame challenges, solidifying their legacy within the sport.
Industry Conference and Event Attendance
In a new addition, the HLTV Awards Conference, presented by GRID, will occur on January 9, one day prior to the awards ceremony. This conference aims to bring together leaders from tournament organizers, teams, and publishers to discuss critical topics such as tournament production, the Counter-Strike economy, and strategies for audience growth. Notable speakers from organizations like BLAST, ESL FACEIT Group, FaZe, and 100 Thieves are expected to participate.
The awards ceremony is projected to attract a diverse audience, including professional players, coaches, broadcast talent, and content creators. With its live presentations, Hall of Fame inductions, and significant end-of-year honors, the HLTV Awards continue to be a marquee event in the Counter-Strike calendar, celebrating the game and its players in a showcase of talent and achievement.
