HLTV announced the criteria and initial contenders for the CS2 xiELO Rookie of the Year 2026 award, supported by ATK Gear. Organizers simplified the qualification rules, requiring only four statistical metrics while age remains irrelevant. The primary condition demands that a candidate makes their breakthrough at the tier-1 level for the first time.

Vladislav xiELO Lysov currently leads all 2026 contenders in maps played at major tournaments. Džiugas dziugss Steponavičius and Ukrainian player Dmytro dem0n Myroshnychenko from FUT follow closely behind him. Luciano luchov Herrera and dem0n boast two EVP awards each so far.

Mykyta cmtry Samolotov stands out as the only rookie holding an MVP award, secured at PGL Bucharest. Single EVPs went to dziugss, Mykyta tenzy Kocheniuk, Emil nota Moskvitin, and Adrian xelex Vintse, while Daniel syph0 Ageyev earned recognition for his PGL Masters Bucharest performance. The winner will be decided through HLTV internal voting using principles similar to the top 20 players ranking.