HLTV Awards: More nominees revealed

The nominees for the HLTV Panel Awards are now out. Determined by votes from HLTV's staff, prominent names in the Counter-Strike broadcast industry and representatives of the best teams of the year, these awards are aimed at creating a fantasy all-star lineup containing the best performing player of 2025 in each role.

The panel votes to pick the best AWPer, Opener, Closer, Anchor, IGL and Coach of the Year. The MongolZ have received nominations under all six categories. The nominees for these categories are as follows:

In an unsurprising revelation, donk records two entries in the highlight of the Year category with his 1v4 against Astralis and 1v5 against Vitality. The nominations for this category is as follows:

Highlight of the Year

donk - 1v4 vs Astralis
donk - 1v5 vs Vitality
JamYoung - Deagle 4k vs MIBR
Maka - 1 Taps vs NAVI
ropz - 2 second Ace vs 3DMAX
Twistzz - 4K (1v3) vs NAVI
w0nderful - 1v4 vs The MongolZ
xKacpersky - 4K vs NAVI
z4kr - 1v5 vs paIN
zweih - Ace vs Falcons

Vitality, Spirit and MOUZ are now the final three teams left standing in the team of the Year category. Vitality are likely the frontrunners for the award with a dominant first season entailing record breaking win streaks. apEX and co. rounded off the year with a win at StarLadder Budapest 2025, bagging both Major trophies of 2025. MOUZ, a consistent playoffs face and a donk-powered Spirit trail Vitality for the team of the Year.

molodoy, makazzee and kyousuke are the finalists for the rookie of the Year. molodoy stands with the highest rating among the finalists.