The Esports Awards may have dropped industry from the title this year, but 2018 will continue to see the recognition of global esports. As always, teams, organisations, players, hardware providers, commercial partners, streamers and many more will be recognised this November at the 2018 Esports Awards ceremony. There have been some exciting developments behind the scenes of the Esports Awards. It is a pleasure to announce the esteemed judging panel for the 2018 Esports Awards:

•         Michael O’Dell
•         Duncan Shields
•         Scott Smith
•         Christopher Mykles
•         Mike Sepso
•         Adam Apicella
•         Mark Cox
•         Alan Brice
•         Ross Thompson
•         Min-Sik Ko
•         Richard Lewis
•         Chris Mead
•         Sjokz
•         Bryce Blum

It is also important to express our gratitude to those transitioning from a role as a judge to an ambassador of the Esports Awards, for all their hard work ensuring those deserving individuals within esports received the true recognition they deserved. Fresh for 2018 we have a brand-new process in which this year’s finalists and winners will be selected.

After listening to feedback from you, the esports community we have streamlined our process to be even simpler than before. The community now accounts for 25% of each and every award, including one of two new awards, Esports Supporting Agency of the Year! If that wasn’t enough, the community are solely responsible for deciding Esports Streamer of the Year, Play of the Year and our second and final new award; Organisation of the Year. Wednesday 21st March marks the opening of nominations for all categories across Group One and Group Two. This is where you the esports community play a pivotal role, it only takes one nomination to be considered for shortlisting as a finalist and be put forward to the voting process.

Make sure to nominate your favourites and the best performers who you feel deserve to be recognised in 2018. In May our esteemed judging panel compile a shortlist of finalists for our Group One categories. These finalists are announced and put forward to the community vote. In August our esteemed panel do the same for our Group Two categories.

As we settle into the 2018 campaign, it feels as though the dust has not long settled since our 2017 ceremony. This night captured the esports audience in its masses, with inspiring and impassioned speeches from the likes of Dr Disrespect, Sjokz and Thorin. This year we have already seen the fires of rivalry stoked. The current Streamer of the Year Dr Disrespect has seen the emergence of two Streamers who are trying to lay claim to his title. Tyler1 has openly challenged Dr Disrespect to an arm wrestling contest, while Ninja’s surge in popularity cannot be ignored. Ninja’s stream with Drake broke multiple records, amassing over 600,000 concurrent viewers.

Just like in 2017 the Streamer of the Year category looks set to be one of the most hotly contested. 2018 looks set to be one amazing year of esports. The industry as a whole is continuing to evolve and grow at ever increasing rates. The glitz, the glamour and the lights of the 2018 Esports Awards ceremony are approaching ever faster. The Oscars of the esports world will be the must attend event of the esports calendar. The clock has already started ticking for you the esports community to do your part. Don’t miss out on your chance to recognise excellence within esports, cement a legacy now by clicking here and nominating.