The annual HLTV Awards, presented by 1xBet, will take place on January 10, 2026, in Belgrade, Serbia. The event promises to unite the Counter-Strike community, celebrating outstanding achievements within the game. The 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.
This year’s awards highlight exceptional performances across various facets of the Counter-Strike ecosystem. Nominees include renowned players such as mezii, ZywOo, and donk, alongside prominent community figures like Freya Spiers and OhnePixel. The awards are categorized into three distinct groups: the Panel Awards, determined by industry representatives; the Community Awards, based on fan voting; and the HLTV Awards, selected internally by HLTV.
Major Announcements and Hall of Fame Inductions
Among the highly anticipated announcements is the coveted Player of the Year award, which will be unveiled during the event, following HLTV’s annual countdown of the top 20 players of the season. Attendees can also look forward to the Team of the Year and Rookie of the Year announcements.
In addition to the competitive accolades, the 2026 ceremony will induct three veterans 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, including dedicated profiles, editorial features, and in-game Hall of Fame challenges.
HLTV Awards Conference and Industry Insights
This year will also mark the inaugural HLTV Awards Conference, presented by GRID, taking place on January 9. This one-day event aims to foster dialogue among key industry players, including tournament organizers, teams, and publishers. Discussions will cover various 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 set 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 premier event in the Counter-Strike calendar. The anticipation surrounding this year’s ceremony highlights the ongoing growth and engagement of the Counter-Strike community globally.