The Esports Awards is a prestigious event celebrating achievements and talent in competitive gaming. It honors players, teams, content creators, and industry professionals who drive innovation in esports. This guide covers the awards’ significance, categories, past highlights, and ways for fans to get involved.

What Are the Esports Awards?

The Esports Awards, founded in 2015, is a top-tier event in gaming and esports, often called the “Oscars of Esports.” Its goal is to honor excellence and innovation across all areas of the esports industry, from players and teams to media and hardware developers. Each year, millions worldwide tune in to see fans and industry leaders celebrate the key figures shaping esports.

Since its start, the Esports Awards has grown significantly, setting milestones like breaking a Guinness World Record in 2023 with Xfinity for the largest digital video game display, seen by 22 million fans. Celebrities like WWE’s Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, and Fortnite champion Bugha were also part of this record-setting moment. As the only award show with Michelin-star status, the Esports Awards continues to recognize achievements while tracking esports’ global impact.

Why Are the Esports Awards Important?

The Esports Awards significantly influence the esports industry, honoring achievements that help define it in multiple ways:

• Career Boost: Winning or being nominated raises visibility for players, teams, and content creators. This exposure often leads to new fans, sponsorships, and job opportunities.
• Industry Recognition: The awards validate accomplishments across players, teams, content creators, hardware developers, and event organizers, encouraging further excellence and innovation.
• Promoting Diversity: By highlighting talent from underrepresented regions like India (e.g., S8UL) and Brazil (e.g., LOUD), the awards foster a more diverse esports community.
• Encouraging Creativity: Recognizing creative contributions in content and branding (e.g., 100 Thieves’ campaigns), the awards inspire others to innovate.
• Bridging Collaboration: The awards bring together top stakeholders globally, offering a unique networking space that fosters industry growth and collaboration.
• Celebrating Commitment: Beyond achievements, the awards instill pride and motivation, reinforcing professionalism within esports.

Categories in the Esports Awards

Here are some of the top categories in the esports awards.

Player Awards

Player Awards recognize individual competitors who excel in their field. The “Esports Player of the Year” is one of the most anticipated awards. It honors players who demonstrate skill, sportsmanship, and consistency, such as Fortnite’s Bugha or Counter-Strike’s S1mple.. Past winners often include famous names, and nominees are selected based on performance, impact, and fan following.

Team Awards

Team Awards celebrate the efforts of esports organizations and teams. Categories like “Esports Team of the Year” acknowledge groups that stand out in strategy, cohesion, and performance. Evaluations focus on their achievements in tournaments, synergy, and consistency throughout the year. Past winners, including G2 Esports and LOUD, have made headlines and inspired fans worldwide.

Industry Awards

Industry Awards honor those who work behind the scenes, including analysts, coaches, and organizers. Awards such as “Esports Coach of the Year” and “Esports Analyst of the Year” recognize individuals who contribute through strategy, guidance, and expertise, influencing the success of players and teams. Past winners include Jacob “PIMP” Winneche and Christine “Potter” Chi, coach of Evil Geniuses’ Valorant team. Both earned recognition for shaping game strategies, boosting team performance, and providing insightful analyses.

Content and Creative Awards

These awards celebrate the creativity and impact of content creators, broadcasters, and event organizers who enhance the esports experience. “Esports Content Creator of the Year” often includes popular streamers and influencers who entertain and educate fans. These individuals play a key role in making esports accessible and engaging.

Prominent winners include Samantha ‘Rivers’ Rivera Trevino, CouRageJD and Dr DisRespect. These individuals became popular due to their personality types and having contributed to the gaming industry. Through such figures, the Esports Awards show that narratives and engagement with the audience are the keys to esports success.

Game Awards

The Game Awards category honors the best games in esports. “Esports Game of the Year” celebrates games with major competitive scenes and active communities. Games are evaluated based on factors like impact on the industry, fan engagement, and the competitiveness of the gaming experience. Past winners include Valorant, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

How Are the Winners Chosen?

The Esports Awards winners are chosen through a blend of fan voting and a judging panel. This system balances public opinion with expert insight to ensure a fair selection process.

Fan Voting vs. Judging Panel

Fans contribute significantly to the Esports Awards by casting votes for their favorite nominees. The judging panel, comprising industry experts, adds a professional perspective, ensuring winners meet high standards. For most awards, fan votes contribute 25% of the decision, while judges control the remaining 75%. In some categories, like Content Group of the Year, only community votes decide the winner, giving fans the final say.

Judging Criteria

The judging criteria vary across categories, considering factors like skill, creativity, impact, and popularity. Notable judges often include seasoned esports professionals, who bring their expertise to the evaluation process, creating a well-rounded selection. Judges assess nominees based on category-specific criteria:

• Players: factors include consistency, skill, tournament performance, and overall influence;
• Content creators: judges consider creativity, originality, and fan engagement;
• Teams and organizations: achievements, strategic innovations, and their impact on the esports scene are key.

Key panelists often include Justin Dellario of Twitch Esports; Rachel “Seltzer” Quirico -esports event host; Cristina Amaya -Diversity Advocate at AnyKey; Michael LaBelle -FIFA personality; and James Bardolph (CS:GO) commentator.

Notable Past Winners and Highlights

Some of the most iconic figures in esports have won Esports Awards, making memorable moments in the event’s history. The following is a summary of famous Esports Awards winners:

Category	Winner	Notable Achievement
Esports Game of the Year	Valorant	Recognized for its stable competitive scene and global popularity (2024, 2023)
Esports Content Creator Group of the Year	S8UL Esports	Acknowledged for high-quality and innovative content, three-time award winner (2022,2023, 2024)
Streamer of the Year	Ibai Llanos, Rivers_gg	Recognized for exceptional community engagement and influence in streaming (2024, 2022)
Esports Personality of the Year	Scump, Nobru	Honored for impact on the esports community and fan following (2024, 2022)
Esports PC Player of the Year	S1mple	Celebrated for outstanding skill and achievements in CS:GO(multiple years)
Esports Publisher of the Year	Riot Games	Awarded for continuous support and development in the esports industry (2024, 2022)

Memorable Moments in Esports Awards History

Over the years, speeches and unexpected winners have created memorable moments. Fans often remember these highlights as iconic parts of the awards.

2019: Dr DisRespect delivered an emotional acceptance speech upon being named Streamer of the Year.

2023: The event set a Guinness World Record for the largest digital video game display. 22 million fans tuned in, featuring esports stars like Bugha and WWE’s Becky Lynch.

2024: S8UL Esports made history by winning the Content Group of the Year award. They had won it for three consecutive years, highlighting their consistent excellence in content creation.

Esports Awards Record Holders

Certain players and teams have achieved record-breaking wins, becoming legends in esports history. Their dedication and skills set new standards for the industry.

• Dr DisRespect has earned multiple Streamer of the Year titles, highlighting his significant impact in the streaming community.
• Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev has consistently been honored as one of the top PC players, reflecting his exceptional skill and achievements in esports.
• S8UL Esports has distinguished itself by winning the Content Group of the Year award three times, demonstrating excellence in content creation.
• Riot Games: frequently receives the Publisher of the Year award for its influential work on esports titles like League of Legends and Valorant, reinforcing its status as a leading esports publisher.

Upcoming Esports Awards and What to Expect

The next Esports Awards is set to take place on November 21, 2024, in Los Angeles. This event follows the first ceremony held in Riyadh in August and continues the tradition of honoring excellence across the esports industry. The Los Angeles ceremony will feature various categories recognizing the achievements of players, content creators, teams, and organizations. A notable feature of the event is the Lexus Lounge. It will serve as the red carpet area, host the “Glambot” for capturing dynamic moments, and provide a space for guests to network and relax.

Key Nominees to Watch

This year’s awards feature some of the biggest names in esports. Among the nominees:

Streamer of the Year nominees include:

• Nicholas “Jynxzi” Stewart
• Kai Cenat
• Ibai Llanos
• Cody “Clix” Conrod
• Darren “iShowSpeed” Watkins Jr.

These streamers are celebrated for their engaging gaming content and significant influence.

Esports Personality of the Year nominees are:

• Jeremy “Disguised Toast” Wang
• Tarik “tarik” Çelik
• Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag
• Seth “scump” Abner

These individuals are recognized for their impact on both the competitive and social aspects of esports.

Esports Content Group of the Year nominees include:

• G2 Esports
• Offline TV
• Karmine Corp
• S8UL Esports

Each group is known for creating unique and engaging content that resonates with fans worldwide.

New Trends and Categories in Esports Awards

Reflecting the evolving landscape of esports, the awards will look to highlight key industry trends and adapt categories accordingly:

• Mobile Esports Growth: With mobile gaming’s rising popularity, categories like Mobile Esports Game of the Year now highlight titles such as PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Both have thriving competitive scenes and large global audiences.
• Innovations in VR/AR Technology: As VR and AR gain traction in gaming, the awards are likely to introduce categories that recognize advancements in immersive gaming experiences. This spaace will spotlight achievements in VR and AR integration within esports.

How to Participate in the Esports Awards

The Esports Awards offer several ways for the public to get involved. Fans can vote for their favorite nominees and attend the event, either in person or virtually. This event helps bring the community together to celebrate esports achievements.Here is how one can be part of the action:

Fan Voting

Fans can participate by casting votes online. The Esports Awards website and social media channels provide information on how to vote and track the event. Here’s how to vote in Esports Awards:

• Check the Official Website: Head over to the official website of the Esports Awards, find the vote section. Voting opens a few months before the event, and fans can only vote once in any particular category.

• Stay Tuned: Follow the Esports Awards on social media accounts like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for event news. You get the latest info about voting windows, nominee announcements, and results. You can sign up for the Esports Awards newsletter, and have organizers email important dates and special fan-voting events.

Attending the Esports Awards

Fans can participate in the Esports Awards through in-person attendance or online viewing:

• In-Person Attendance: To attend the ceremony live in Los Angeles, visit the Esports Awards website for ticket information. Tickets generally include admission onto the red carpet, special areas within, such as the Lexus Lounge. This provides an immersive experience for fans and industry professionals alike.

• Watch Online: For those unable to attend in person, organizers will live-stream the event on platforms such as Twitch, and YouTube. Major esports networks and partners, including Lexus, Oakley, and the Esports World Cup Foundation, may also provide streaming options to ensure accessibility for a global audience.

The Future of the Esports Awards

The Esports Awards’ influence will continue to grow as esports gain global prominence. The awards highlight player achievements and diverse content, underscoring esports’ lasting impact on culture and entertainment. A new three-year partnership with the Esports World Cup (EWC) expands the awards’ reach, bridging Western and Eastern audiences. This collaboration adds unique elements like the Lifetime Achievement mixer and an Esports Village to the event.

Future categories may reflect emerging trends, such as Best VR Esports Game or Best Mental Health Initiative, aligning with the industry’s focus on player well-being. Public voting remains central, engaging fans in selecting top players and organizations. Additionally, partnerships with global events like the EWC amplify the awards’ influence and recognition. These developments ensure that the Esports Awards serve not only as accolades but also as milestones for industry growth and community engagement.

Conclusion

The Esports Awards play a vital role in recognizing achievements across the diverse spectrum of esports, from elite players to content creators. By rewarding talent, the awards inspire positive change in the industry and pave the way for emerging talent. Fans are encouraged to support their favorite nominees by voting and following the event online. Through fan voting and viewership, fans actively celebrate notable winners and become part of esports history.