The highly anticipated annual HLTV Awards, sponsored by 1xBet, will take place this weekend in Belgrade, Serbia. Scheduled for January 10, 2026, the ceremony will be hosted live at the Blue Hall of the Sava Centar, with a broadcast commencing at 18:00 CET on HLTV’s Twitch channel. This event unites the Counter-Strike community to celebrate exceptional performances and contributions from various aspects of the game.
The awards recognize achievements across the Counter-Strike ecosystem, encompassing professional players, teams, on-air talent, creators, and events. Nominees include notable figures such as mezii, ZywOo, and donk, alongside influential community members like Freya Spiers and OhnePixel. The awards are categorized into three distinct sections: Panel Awards, which are determined by industry representatives; Community Awards, chosen by fan votes; and the HLTV Awards, selected internally by HLTV.
Key Awards and Inductions
Among the most eagerly awaited announcements is the Player of the Year award, which will be presented live following HLTV’s annual countdown of the top 20 players of the season. Additionally, the ceremony will unveil the Team of the Year and the Rookie of the Year honors.
This year’s event will also feature the induction of three veterans into the HLTV Hall of Fame: Raphael “cogu” Camargo, Yegor “markeloff” Markelov, and Olof “olofmeister” Kajbjer. Each inductee will be acknowledged on stage and will receive permanent honors from HLTV, including dedicated profiles, editorial features, and in-game Hall of Fame challenges.
Industry Conference and Community Engagement
In a new addition, the HLTV Awards Conference will debut on January 9, 2026, presented by GRID. This one-day event is designed to foster dialogue among industry stakeholders, including tournament organizers, teams, and publishers. Discussions will cover a range of topics, such as tournament production, the Counter-Strike economy, and strategies for audience growth. Notable speakers are anticipated from organizations such as BLAST, ESL FACEIT Group, FaZe, and 100 Thieves.
The awards ceremony is expected to attract a diverse audience, including professional players, coaches, broadcast talent, and content creators. With live presentations, Hall of Fame inductions, and significant end-of-year recognitions, the HLTV Awards are positioned to remain a cornerstone event on the Counter-Strike calendar, celebrating the game’s rich culture and community engagement.
