HLTV has unveiled the nominee list for the 2025 HLTV Awards presented by 1xBet, setting the stage for what organizers describe as the largest edition of the Counter-Strike awards show to date. The annual celebration will return to Belgrade, Serbia, with the main ceremony scheduled for Jan. 10, 2026, following a conference event on Jan. 9.

The awards will move to a new venue this year, the Blue Hall at the Sava Centar, in response to growing interest in the event. The change increases capacity from roughly 600 attendees to about 1,000, while maintaining the invite-only format focused on industry professionals. According to HLTV, invited guests will include professional players, coaches, broadcast talent, and content creators from across the Counter-Strike ecosystem.

Several high-profile players headline this year’s nominee list, including ZywOo, m0NESY, donk, and mezii, reflecting a competitive year across multiple regions and teams. The awards aim to recognize individual excellence as well as standout moments from the 2025 competitive season.

Voting details and award structure

The HLTV Awards are divided into three primary categories: Community Awards, Panel Awards, and awards decided internally by HLTV. Community Awards are determined through public voting on HLTV’s website, which is open now and scheduled to close on Dec. 31. Panel Awards are decided by a group that includes broadcast talent, professional players, coaches, and HLTV staff, while the remaining categories are selected internally.

Panel Award finalists will be narrowed down on Dec. 28, with Community Award finalists announced on Dec. 31. HLTV has already published finalists for some categories, including those dedicated to women’s Counter-Strike, with additional categories expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

This year’s Panel Awards cover a wide range of in-game roles, such as AWPer of the Year, IGL of the Year, Opener of the Year, and Coach of the Year. The list also includes a Highlight of the Year category, featuring multiple plays by donk that stood out during top-level competition.

With an expanded venue, a packed nominee list, and community voting now underway, the 2025 HLTV Awards are shaping up to be one of the most closely watched events on the Counter-Strike calendar.