The prestigious HLTV Awards, presented by 1xBet, will take place on January 10, 2026, in Belgrade, Serbia. This annual event brings together the Counter-Strike community to celebrate the achievements of its biggest stars. The ceremony is set to commence at 18:00 CET at the Blue Hall of the Sava Centar, and fans can watch the live broadcast on HLTV’s Twitch channel.
This year’s awards will acknowledge exceptional performances across various facets of the Counter-Strike ecosystem, including professional players, teams, on-air talent, and content creators. Nominees span a range of influential figures, from established players like mezii, ZywOo, and donk to community influencers such as Freya Spiers and OhnePixel. The awards will be divided into three distinct categories: Panel Awards, determined by industry representatives; Community Awards, based on fan voting; and HLTV Awards, selected internally by the HLTV team.
Key Announcements and Hall of Fame Inductions
A highlight 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. Additionally, awards for Team of the Year and Rookie of the Year will be revealed during the event.
This year’s ceremony will also honor three legendary players with induction into the HLTV Hall of Fame: Raphael “cogu” Camargo, Yegor “markeloff” Markelov, and Olof “olofmeister” Kajbjer. Each inductee will receive recognition on stage and will be celebrated with dedicated profiles and editorial features on HLTV, alongside in-game Hall of Fame challenges.
Industry Conference and Community Engagement
In a new addition to the event, the HLTV Awards Conference, presented by GRID, will occur on January 9. This one-day conference aims to facilitate discussions among tournament organizers, teams, and publishers about pressing issues in the industry, such as tournament production, the Counter-Strike economy, and audience engagement. Speakers from leading organizations like BLAST, ESL FACEIT Group, FaZe, and 100 Thieves are expected to attend.
The awards ceremony is anticipated 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 honors, the HLTV Awards continue to establish themselves as a key event on the Counter-Strike calendar. The excitement surrounding this year’s gathering underscores the community’s commitment to celebrating excellence within the game.
