The highly anticipated HLTV Awards, presented by 1xBet, will take place this weekend in Belgrade, Serbia, celebrating the brightest stars in the Counter-Strike community. Scheduled for January 10, 2026, the ceremony will be held at the Blue Hall of the Sava Centar, with a live broadcast beginning at 18:00 CET on HLTV’s Twitch channel.
This annual event recognizes exceptional performances and contributions across the Counter-Strike ecosystem. Nominees include established players such as mezii, ZywOo, and donk, as well as influential figures in the community like Freya Spiers and OhnePixel. Awards are divided into three distinct categories: Panel Awards, determined by industry representatives; Community Awards, chosen through fan voting; and HLTV Awards, selected internally by HLTV.
Major Awards 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 live following HLTV’s countdown of the season’s top 20 players. The ceremony will also feature the unveiling of the Team of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
In addition to competitive accolades, the 2026 awards ceremony will honor three Counter-Strike legends by inducting them into the HLTV Hall of Fame: Raphael “cogu” Camargo, Yegor “markeloff” Markelov, and Olof “olofmeister” Kajbjer. Each inductee will be recognized on stage and will receive permanent honors, including dedicated profiles, editorial features, and in-game Hall of Fame challenges.
HLTV Awards Conference and Industry Discussions
This year marks the inaugural HLTV Awards Conference, presented by GRID, scheduled for January 9, 2026. This one-day event aims to unite industry leaders from tournament organizers, teams, and publishers to discuss significant topics such as tournament production, the Counter-Strike economy, and strategies for audience growth. Representatives from organizations including BLAST, ESL FACEIT Group, FaZe, and 100 Thieves are expected to speak at the conference.
The awards ceremony is anticipated to attract a diverse array of attendees, including 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 one of the premier events on the Counter-Strike calendar, celebrating the game’s vibrant community and its extraordinary talents.
