The esteemed source for Counter-Strike statistics and news, HLTV.org, has provided the community with an early glimpse into the potential top performers of the 2025 season. Preliminary nomination lists for the upcoming HLTV Awards 2025 ceremony have been shared, offering insight into who has dominated the competitive landscape during the first half of the year.
An initial review of these lists reveals a significant trend: many names appearing on the preliminary ballots are familiar faces from the HLTV Awards 2024. This suggests a level of sustained excellence among many of the top players and teams in Counter-Strike 2, reinforcing their positions at the pinnacle of the sport and perhaps indicating that consistency is king, even with game updates.
However, the preliminary nature of these lists, based solely on the first six months of competition, also highlights some intriguing differences compared to last year`s final results. Notably absent from certain categories are individuals who took home awards in 2024. For instance, last year`s Coach of the Year, Andrey “B1ad3” Gorodenskiy, does not appear in the preliminary coaching list. Similarly, Martynas “jL” Lekavičius, a strong contender and winner in other areas last year, is not yet listed among the top lurkers. It seems half a year isn`t quite enough for everyone to reclaim their previous spots, or perhaps the competition has simply intensified, pushing new talent to the forefront.
The grand ceremony for the HLTV Awards 2025 is scheduled to take place on January 10, 2026, in Belgrade, Serbia. The prestigious Sava Centar, capable of hosting up to 4,000 attendees, will be the venue. The event will culminate in the announcement of awards for the Best Team, Best Female Player, top players across various in-game roles, and the coveted Player of the Year title.
These preliminary lists serve as a fascinating midterm report on the state of competitive CS2. While they offer a strong indication of the current frontrunners, the remainder of the 2025 season still holds the potential for significant shifts. Players and teams have the coming months to solidify their positions, challenge the early leaders, and make their case for inclusion in the final, definitive lists announced in Belgrade. The race is far from over.
Finley Holt