Under a year-long agreement, Thunderpick is set to serve as the headline and official iGaming partner for the 2026 Esports Awards, which will be officially named the Esports Awards Presented by Thunderpick.
Collaboration encompasses honors and media production
The 12-month contract encompasses the live broadcast, three specific accolades, and various digital initiatives over the course of the year. Thunderpick is designated to sponsor Esports Play of the Month, Esports Play of the Year, and Streamer of the Year, while also funding narrative projects and exclusive content like the monthly highlight show and the Origins Podcast.
The primary gala will take place in Miami on November 17, though the monetary details of the sponsorship have not been made public. Rather than restricting its integration to just the main broadcast, this setup integrates Thunderpick deeply into both the live event and the year-round media campaign.
In tandem, the organizers have selected Hotspawn as the headline sponsor for several side-events, including the PWR UP B2B Conference, the Esports Awards Invitational, and the Lifetime Achievement Mixer. These strategic alliances ensure that different facets of the overall event series—ranging from business summits to the main stage—have dedicated primary sponsors.
Public voting and background details
Established over a decade ago, this awards program celebrates key figures throughout the competitive gaming ecosystem, including professional competitors, organizations, agencies, and brands. By acknowledging both performance in the arena and crucial backstage efforts, the show maintains a wider scope than traditional events focused solely on players and teams.
Fans can currently cast their ballots in nine distinct areas, featuring high-profile categories such as Streamer of the Year, Esports Personality of the Year, and the top titles for both PC and mobile devices. Over time, the program has continuously evolved its categories to introduce modern divisions, such as specialized segments for mobile esports.
Individual achievements continue to be a cornerstone of the ceremony, with public voting available for prominent player-centric trophies. The category highlighting the top competitive athlete underscores the ceremony’s ongoing commitment to honoring elite performance within the gaming community.
Important upcoming dates
- A year-long alliance positions Thunderpick as the main presenting and official betting/iGaming sponsor for the 2026 iterations.
- The brand will take ownership of the Streamer of the Year award, alongside the monthly and annual competitive play honors.
- The public can submit votes until November 10, with a special double-value voting period running from November 3 onward.
- The live awards show is set to happen on November 17 in Miami, while Thunderpick’s media initiatives will remain active throughout the duration of the deal.
Public voting will conclude exactly seven days prior to the live gala, culminating in the accelerated double-vote phase. While the marketing and promotional campaign is set to span a full year, the official release did not disclose any projected viewership metrics, engagement targets, or financial benchmarks.
