From the moment the first guests stepped onto the red carpet at Belgrade’s grand venue on January 11, 2025, the HLTV Awards 2024 promised to deliver a night of unforgettable excitement. Fans from around the world gathered to see the greatest names in Counter-Strike 2 recognized for their remarkable performances throughout the past year. Old legends, rising stars, and industry pioneers—everyone came together under one roof to honor the accomplishments that defined 2024. Below, we relive the ceremony’s finest highlights, celebrating teams, players, creators, and events that shaped another memorable chapter in Counter-Strike history.
As the lights dimmed and the show began, four Swedish legends—Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund, Patrik “f0rest” Lindberg, Emil “HeatoN” Christensen, and Tommy “Potti” Ingemarsson—were welcomed as the inaugural inductees into the brand-new HLTV Hall of Fame. Each player received a personalized Rolex watch, honoring their iconic status in the Counter-Strike world.

Soon enough, the red carpet was bustling with newly restructured squads and established rosters alike. Team Vitality introduced their newest member, Robin “ropz” Kool, while G2 Esports welcomed Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko. Many had their eyes on these revamped lineups, eager to see whether 2025 would bring fresh competition or a continuation of the rivalry that marked 2024’s intense battle for first place.

The HLTV Awards 2024 featured 16 categories divided into three main segments:
- Community Awards – Fan-voted on the HLTV.org website
- Panel Awards – Decided by professional players, talent, and HLTV staff
- In-house Awards – Selected by HLTV for unique recognitions
This structure offered room for both the voice of the fans and the expert analyses of seasoned personalities. The result was a broad celebration of excellence in CS2, highlighting standout plays, exceptional content creation, top-notch production, and memorable tournaments.
Player of the Year: Danil “donk” Kryshkovets

- Winner: Danil “donk” Kryshkovets
- Runner-Up: Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov
- Third Place: Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
In one of the most anticipated categories of the night, Danil “donk” Kryshkovets emerged victorious as Player of the Year. Since joining Team Spirit in July 2023, donk has been unstoppable. By the time IEM Katowice 2024 rolled around, his age of just 17 seemed irrelevant, as he displayed the poise of a seasoned veteran and outclassed some of the world’s finest players.
Donk’s influence propelled Team Spirit to multiple high-profile achievements, including a first-place finish at the BLAST Premier Spring Final and a commanding run at BetBoom Dacha Belgrade #2. With a trophy cabinet that most players can only dream of, donk capped off 2024 by claiming the sport’s highest individual accolade.
Women’s Player of the Year: Ana “ANa” Dumbravă

- Winner: Ana “ANa” Dumbravă
- Runner-Up: Zainab “zAAz” Turkie
- Third Place: Victoria “tory” Kazieva
For the third consecutive year, Ana “ANa” Dumbravă was crowned Women’s Player of the Year, cementing her reputation as a dominant force. Whether it was hitting clutch shots with her sniper rifle or leading Imperial fe to victory, ANa’s on-stage brilliance kept her team ahead of the pack across every major tournament. Despite fierce competition from teammates like zAAz and tory, ANa’s sheer consistency set her apart.
Team of the Year: Natus Vincere

- Winner: Natus Vincere
- Runner-Up: G2 Esports
- Third Place: Spirit
The storied Natus Vincere was named Team of the Year, beating out G2 and Spirit. NAVI’s monumental performances included winning the PGL Major Copenhagen, reaching six consecutive finals, and establishing themselves as a bastion of teamwork. Observers noted that although G2 and Spirit had their own flashes of brilliance—especially Spirit’s meteoric rise under donk—NAVI’s sustained dominance remained unmatched. With a dynamic roster that played off the synergy between star riflers and the unwavering guidance of their leadership, NAVI ended 2024 standing tall at the pinnacle of the scene.
Women’s Team of the Year: Imperial fe

- Winner: Imperial fe
- Runner-Up: NAVI Javelins
- Third Place: FURIA fe
The unstoppable streak of Imperial fe continued as they bagged Women’s Team of the Year. This core lineup previously competed under other banners, but every new chapter seemed to bring the same result: complete supremacy of female tournaments. Their relentless performances in the Impact League and other major championships made it clear they were once again the top contender.
Rookie of the Year: Danil “donk” Kryshkovets

- Winner: Danil “donk” Kryshkovets
- Runner-Up: Mario “malbsMd” Samayoa
- Third Place: Myroslav “zont1x” Plakhotia
Donk returned to the stage to claim Rookie of the Year, a testament to how profoundly he impacted the game in his first year of top-tier play. Many recognized his MVP-winning performance at IEM Katowice 2024 as a key moment, showcasing how seamlessly he adapted to the highest level of competition. It’s no exaggeration to say that donk’s skill, particularly his fearless entry work, shaped the outcome of every event he attended in 2024.
Opener of the Year: Danil “donk” Kryshkovets

- Winner: Danil “donk” Kryshkovets
- Runner-Up: Nikola “NiKo” Kovač
- Third Place: Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski
Donk also completed the trifecta of accolades by earning Opener of the Year. His incomparable accuracy and game sense in the first 20 seconds of a round posed a nightmare scenario for opponents, putting them on the back foot from the start. Surpassing legendary names like NiKo and EliGE, donk proved unstoppable, particularly during crucial playoff matches when the pressure was at its highest.
Closer of the Year: Justinas “jL” Lekavicius

- Winner: Justinas “jL” Lekavicius
- Runner-Up: Valeriy “b1t” Vakhovskiy
- Third Place: Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo
Often the hero who saved the round, Justinas “jL” Lekavicius walked away with Closer of the Year. NAVI’s unforgettable run at the PGL Major Copenhagen saw jL’s clutch factor soar to new heights, culminating in his MVP award. Though overshadowed by some of his high-profile teammates in other categories, jL remained the go-to player whenever the stakes peaked and the team needed a round-saving miracle.
Anchor of the Year: Valeriy “b1t” Vakhovskiy

- Winner: Valeriy “b1t” Vakhovskiy
- Runner-Up: Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo
- Third Place: Myroslav “zont1x” Plakhotia
Fellow NAVI member b1t claimed the Anchor of the Year title. His mastery of tight site-holds throughout the season stood out in high-pressure tournaments. On maps like Inferno, b1t’s unbreakable composure in the pit position kept numerous attackers from getting a foothold. Stacking up multi-kills on his hold or simply delaying for backup, b1t’s abilities helped his team excel in some of the most intense moments of 2024.
AWPer of the Year: Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov

- Winner: Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov
- Runner-Up: Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
- Third Place: Dmitry “sh1ro” Sokolov
While CS2 introduced changes that slightly curtailed the AWP’s dominance, Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov showcased that a skilled marksman can still take over a match. By timing aggressive peeks to perfection, he repeatedly swung the momentum in his team’s favor. G2 might not have taken home as many trophies as they would’ve liked, but m0NESY’s precise AWP style was undeniable.
IGL of the Year: Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen

- Winner: Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen
- Runner-Up: Leonid “chopper” Vishnyakov
- Third Place: Finn “karrigan” Andersen
From the moment he took charge of NAVI, Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen steered them to numerous championships, including that revered Major in Copenhagen. His reading of in-game situations, combined with brilliant mid-round calls, made him an indispensable asset. In 2024’s stiff field of shot-callers, including veterans like chopper and karrigan, Aleksib shone brightest, earning him the IGL of the Year award with ease.
Coach of the Year: Andrey “B1ad3” Gorodenskiy

- Winner: Andrey “B1ad3” Gorodenskiy
- Runner-Up: Sergey “hally” Shavaev
- Third Place: Dennis “sycrone” Nielsen
This year’s coaching landscape focused on creativity in strategies and deep-level preparation. B1ad3 emerged victorious, orchestrating NAVI’s stunning campaign with a meticulous approach to tactics. Credited as a visionary who pioneered the “Tactical Pages” methodology, he approached every match with painstaking detail. The synergy between B1ad3 and Aleksib proved to be the cornerstone of NAVI’s success, solidifying B1ad3’s reputation as an expert in shaping teams into cohesive championship contenders.
All-star Team of the Year

- Opener: Danil “donk” Kryshkovets
- Closer: Justinas “jL” Lekavicius
- Anchor: Valeriy “b1t” Vakhovskiy
- AWPer: Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov
- IGL: Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen
- Coach: Andrey “B1ad3” Gorodenskiy
What happens when you compile the best roles into one unbeatable lineup? You get the HLTV All-star Team of the Year. Each name on this roster dominated their category, and together they represent the pinnacle of CS2 performance in 2024.
Highlight of the Year: Danil “donk” Kryshkovets

- Winner: Danil “donk” Kryshkovets
- Runner-Up: Nikola “NiKo” Kovač
- Third Place: Justinas “jL” Lekavicius
Danil “donk” Kryshkovets earned yet another trophy for an utterly jaw-dropping 1v5 clutch against HEROIC at the Perfect World Shanghai Major. Spectators in the stadium watched in disbelief as he neutralized opponent after opponent on Mirage, forging a moment that soared through social media in record time.
Talent of the Year: James Banks

- Winner: James Banks
- Runner-Up: Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill
- Third Place: Conner “Scrawny” Girvan
The first community-voted award presented was Talent of the Year, awarded to James Banks. Known for his charismatic presence on panels and his composed interviewing style, Banks has risen to the forefront of eSports broadcasting. His powerful stage presence and rapport with players provided a refreshing dynamic across every 2024 event, winning him significant admiration from fans.
Event of the Year: Perfect World Shanghai Major

- Winner: Perfect World Shanghai Major
- Runner-Up: PGL Major Copenhagen
- Third Place: IEM Katowice
Community votes honored the Perfect World Shanghai Major with the Event of the Year award. Even though some critics argued about viewership numbers, the Shanghai Major’s production quality, enthusiastic crowd, and celebratory atmosphere were undeniable. Organizers poured their hearts into everything—from in-venue experiences to a top-tier broadcast that spanned multiple languages. The tournament’s success is a testament to the global love for Counter-Strike.
Streamer of the Year: Mark “ohnePixel” Zimmermann

- Winner: Mark “ohnePixel” Zimmermann
- Runner-Up: Erik “fl0m” Flom
- Third Place: dima_wallhacks
For those who love a more lighthearted and entertaining approach to CS, ohnePixel stole the show once again, taking Streamer of the Year honors. Known for his obsession with skins and his comedic banter, ohnePixel brought a friendly vibe that drew in a broad audience. Even a brief break from streaming couldn’t halt his momentum, proving the strength of his content and the loyalty of his community.
Creator of the Year: NadeKing

- Winner: NadeKing
- Runner-Up: 3kliksphilip
- Third Place: Virre
In the content creation, NadeKing came out on top, nabbing Creator of the Year. Throughout 2024, he released an array of videos that combined practical tips, comedic moments, and out-of-the-box challenges, keeping fans both informed and entertained. Sporting creative disguises and encouraging everyone to adopt the “NadeKing” persona, he maintained an air of playful mystery that made him a massive hit in the community.
Skin of the Year: AK-47 | Inheritance by Endrit

- Winner: AK-47 | Inheritance
- Runner-Up: Zeus x27 | Olympus
- Third Place: M4A1-S | Black Lotus
Rounding out the night’s honors was the Skin of the Year category, featuring an artistic clash among talented designers. Endrit’s AK-47 | Inheritance ultimately won. This weapon has an exquisite white-and-blue porcelain aesthetic with refined gold flourishes, forming a highlight of the Kilowatt Collection that launched alongside CS2.
The HLTV Awards 2024 not only spotlighted individual brilliance and team triumphs but also encapsulated the state of Counter-Strike in all its unpredictable glory. From iconic veterans preserving the game’s legacy to gifted newcomers rewriting the script, 2024 was a reminder of why this franchise retains its revered status. As we move into the next season, fans and experts alike anticipate new rivalries, bold transfers, and even bigger spectacles. Counter-Strike 2 shows no signs of slowing down. One thing’s for sure: if 2024 taught us anything, it’s to keep our eyes open for the unexpected because the next superstar or historical moment might be just around the corner.