this year's honours
Celebrating Exceptional Contributions To Esports
Celebrating Exceptional Contributions To Esports
Celebrating Exceptional Contributions To Esports
The inaugural edition of Esports Leaders Honours brought together the industry in Cologne to recognise the people, organisations, and projects that made a meaningful impact across esports over the past year.
Presented during Global Esports Industry Week 2026, the ceremony celebrated excellence, innovation, and leadership across six core categories, alongside a special Local Hero award selected with the support of trusted local partners.
From standout individuals to influential teams, brands, and initiatives, this year’s Honours reflected the breadth of talent and progress shaping the future of esports. Explore the gallery to look back on the evening and relive the highlights from a special night in Cologne.
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honours categories
standout esports advertising campaigns
For creative, high-impact campaigns that cut through and resonated with esports audiences.
standout esports advertising campaigns
For creative, high-impact campaigns that cut through and resonated with esports audiences.
best product innovation in esports
For the tools, platforms, hardware or software pushing the industry forward.
best product innovation in esports
For the tools, platforms, hardware or software pushing the industry forward.
rising star in esports (individuals)
For emerging & hard working talent at all levels making their mark.
rising star in esports (individuals)
For emerging & hard working talent at all levels making their mark.
Access and Grassroots Champions in Esports (individuals or organisations)
For initiatives, organisations & individuals expanding opportunity & accessibility at the community level.
Access and Grassroots Champions in Esports (individuals or organisations)
For initiatives, organisations & individuals expanding opportunity & accessibility at the community level.
Industry Development of the Year
For the partnerships, investments, acquisitions, mergers or policies that shaped or accelerated the ecosystem.
Industry Development of the Year
For the partnerships, investments, acquisitions, mergers or policies that shaped or accelerated the ecosystem.
ESPORTS LEADER
For the visionaries driving growth and excellence across the industry.
ESPORTS LEADER
For the visionaries driving growth and excellence across the industry.
Local Hero Award
For an individual who made a significant contribution to the local and/or national community and industry (2025-26, Germany).
Local Hero Award
For an individual who made a significant contribution to the local and/or national community and industry (2025-26, Germany).
standout esports advertising campaigns
For creative, high-impact campaigns that cut through and resonated with esports audiences.
best product innovation in esports
For the tools, platforms, hardware or software pushing the industry forward.
rising star in esports (individuals)
For emerging & hard working talent at all levels making their mark.
Access and Grassroots Champions in Esports (individuals or organisations)
For initiatives, organisations & individuals expanding opportunity & accessibility at the community level.
Industry Development of the Year
For the partnerships, investments, acquisitions, mergers or policies that shaped or accelerated the ecosystem.
ESPORTS LEADER
For the visionaries driving growth and excellence across the industry.
Local Hero Award
For an individual who made a significant contribution to the local and/or national community and industry (2025-26, Germany).
the honours 2025-26
the honours 2025-26
Standout Esports Advertising Campaigns
Standout Esports Advertising Campaigns
Presented by: VISIT RALEIGH
Presented by: VISIT RALEIGH
Best Product Innovation in esports
Best Product Innovation in esports
Presented by: PLAYMAKERS
Presented by: PLAYMAKERS
RISING STAR IN ESPORTS
RISING STAR IN ESPORTS
Presented by: KoInBusiness
Presented by: KoInBusiness
Access and Grassroots Champions
Access and Grassroots Champions
Presented by: Get In
Presented by: Get In
INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR
INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR
Presented by: THE STORY MOB
Presented by: THE STORY MOB
ESPORTS LEADER
ESPORTS LEADER
Presented by: THOMAS LYTE
Presented by: THOMAS LYTE
local hero
local hero
Presented by: ESBD
Presented by: ESBD
