The prestigious HLTV Awards, presented by 1xBet, will take place on January 10, 2026, in Belgrade, Serbia, celebrating the achievements within the Counter-Strike community. The ceremony will unfold live at the Blue Hall of the Sava Centar, with a broadcast commencing at 18:00 CET on HLTV’s Twitch channel. This annual event honors exceptional performances across various categories, spotlighting professional players, teams, on-air talent, and influential community figures.
Nominees for the awards include well-known players such as mezii, ZywOo, and donk, alongside prominent community personalities like Freya Spiers and OhnePixel. The awards are divided into three segments: Panel Awards, decided by industry representatives; Community Awards, determined by fan voting; and the internal HLTV Awards.
Major Announcements and Hall of Fame Inductions
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening will be the announcement of the Player of the Year, revealed after HLTV’s annual countdown of the top 20 players of the season. Other key awards, including Team of the Year and Rookie of the Year, will also be presented during the ceremony.
In a significant addition to this year’s festivities, three veterans will be inducted into the HLTV Hall of Fame: Raphael “cogu” Camargo, Yegor “markeloff” Markelov, and Olof “olofmeister” Kajbjer. Each inductee will receive formal recognition on stage, along with permanent honors through HLTV. This includes dedicated profiles, editorial features, and in-game Hall of Fame challenges.
Industry Conference to Kick Off Celebrations
Before the awards ceremony, the inaugural HLTV Awards Conference, presented by GRID, will be held on January 9. This one-day conference aims to unite stakeholders from tournament organizers, teams, and publishers to discuss pressing topics such as tournament production, the Counter-Strike economy, and audience growth. Speakers from prominent organizations including BLAST, ESL FACEIT Group, FaZe, and 100 Thieves are expected to share their insights.
The upcoming awards ceremony is poised to attract a diverse audience, featuring professional players, coaches, broadcast talent, and content creators. With live presentations, Hall of Fame inductions, and major end-of-year honors, the HLTV Awards continue to establish themselves as a cornerstone event in the Counter-Strike calendar, celebrating the vibrancy and talent of the gaming community.
