HLTV will stage the HLTV Awards presented by 1xBet in Belgrade, Serbia on January 9, 2027, returning to the Sava Center. The company said more than 1,000 players, industry professionals, creators, and fans are expected to attend.

HLTV also confirmed Dust2 creator David Johnston will feature as an award announcer. HLTV linked the booking to the 25th anniversary of Dust2.

For 2026, HLTV is updating its Hall of Fame process and eligibility rules. Four players will be inducted again, with “at least two and up to three” slots reserved for players from the Counter-Strike 1.6 and early eras. HLTV also removed the former “neo rule,” allowing players to be inducted for their playing careers even if they remain active in other roles such as coaching.

HLTV is adding a Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be decided by the Hall of Fame Board. The ceremony will also move Community Awards onto the main stage show for the first time, rather than the pre-show segment.

Separately, HLTV will kick off the 2027 Awards season with an invite-only “HLTV Awards by 1xBet Launch Party x GRID” in Cologne during the Major. HLTV said industry members can apply for an invite to the ceremony via its awards page.

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The company says its PR & Communications Manager was recognised for strengthening Alea’s brand and communications during a growth period.

Alea said its PR & Communications Manager, Elisabet Vila, has won the B2B Excellence Award at the Women in Gaming Diversity Awards 2026.

The Women in Gaming Diversity Awards recognise individuals and organisations across the gaming sector, including contributions on the business-to-business side of the industry. Alea said Vila was recognised for her role in elevating the company’s brand presence and communications strategy during a period of rapid growth.

“I am very honoured to receive this award. The Women in Gaming Diversity Awards are one of the most important events in our industry, especially because they recognise and celebrate the women working so hard across the sector.

The night felt incredibly special, with such a supportive atmosphere as we celebrated so many brilliant colleagues. It was genuinely empowering.

While my name may be on the award, it reflects the work of many talented women across Alea who contribute to our success every day. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

Being nominated alongside such strong candidates already meant a lot, so winning makes it even more meaningful. I’m incredibly thankful for this recognition and proud to represent Alea at an event like this,” said Elisabet Vila, PR & Communications Manager at Alea.

Alea said the award reflects its focus on developing talent and supporting diversity as the business continues to grow.

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Evoplay has won at the EGR B2B Awards 2026 in the category Marketing campaign of the year. This recognition celebrates a campaign built around Uncrossable Rush, Evoplay’s first instant title co-developed with SlotCatalog.

The game combined Evoplay’s development expertise with SlotCatalog’s player insights and discovery tools, turning CrossyRun-inspired mechanics into a dynamic iGaming experience with difficulty levels, multipliers, Cash Out and customisable Autoplay.

For Evoplay, this shows how strong marketing starts long before the campaign goes live. It begins with the product idea, the player insight and the team’s creative ability to connect them into a story people notice.

This award reflects Evoplay’s work on building campaigns that support a game release by maximising the engagement moment around it.

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