Top 20 players of 2022: Introduction

Just like every year since 2013, HLTV.org is almost ready to look back at the past twelve months’ worth of competition, evaluate performances at the top level, and present our top 20 players of 2022.

This year we are starting the countdown more traditionally on January 1 and run the countdown until January 13, when we reach the final top three. The player of the year and the runners-up will then be announced as part of the HLTV Award Show on January 14, where several other categories’ winners will also be revealed.

You can look forward to in-depth articles about each player’s performances throughout the year as well as the key reasons why they made the list. We will also conduct interviews with the top 20 players, asking them about their year and getting them to choose their Bold Predictions — a pick of a young up-and-coming player they think could burst onto the top scene and potentially make the list in the following year.

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How did the Bold Predictions for 2022 fare?

Below is an announcement schedule of the Top 20 players of 2022, which will be updated as the players are announced, so you can always check back here to see if you’ve missed any:

1. To be announced on the HLTV Award Show
2. To be announced on the HLTV Award Show
3. To be announced on the HLTV Award Show
4. To be announced on January 13, 20:00
5. To be announced on January 12, 20:00
6. To be announced on January 11, 20:00
7. To be announced on January 10, 20:00
8. To be announced on January 9, 20:00
9. To be announced on January 8, 20:00
10. To be announced on January 7, 20:00
11. To be announced on January 6, 20:00
12. To be announced on January 5, 20:00
13. To be announced on January 4, 20:00
14. To be announced on January 4, 16:00
15. To be announced on January 3, 20:00
16. To be announced on January 3, 16:00
17. To be announced on January 2, 20:00
18. To be announced on January 2, 16:00
19. To be announced on January 1, 20:00
20. To be announced on January 1, 16:00

For those of you who like to try their hand at guessing the players in the ranking or just wonder about how it is made, here are a few crucial points to keep in mind:

1. Statistics: The ranking is heavily based on the numbers, but looking at year-long ratings alone won’t tell you everything. Context is important, such as at which events players stood out and whether they performed when the stakes were highest in big playoff matches.

2. Awards: If you followed the ranking in previous years, you’ll know MVPs and EVPs can make a difference. Not all accolades are born equal, however, as a big EVP (from a Major, for example) could mean more than MVP medals from smaller events.

3. Sample size: This is a ranking of the best of the best. To make it into the top 20, players have to show their worth against the best teams on a regular basis. If they haven’t played at the top for long enough, the sample size is too small to judge.

4. Consistency: One of the factors in judging the players’ year is their consistency, both from match to match and tournament to tournament. Although high enough peaks can make up for a lack of stability, occasional disappearances — especially in key moments and at the biggest tournaments — are likely to bring them down a notch.

5. Recency bias: While it is natural for fans to remember more from recent times, we look at an entire year’s worth of performances when determining the ranking.

The lists from the previous years, dating all the way back to Counter-Strike 1.6 in 2010 (with the exception of the transitional year between 1.6 and CS:GO in 2012) can be found below:

Top 20 players of 2021 (CS:GO)
Top 20 players of 2020 (CS:GO)
Top 20 players of 2019 (CS:GO)
Top 20 players of 2018 (CS:GO)
Top 20 players of 2017 (CS:GO)
Top 20 players of 2016 (CS:GO)
Top 20 players of 2015 (CS:GO)
Top 20 players of 2014 (CS:GO)
Top 20 players of 2013 (CS:GO)
Top 20 players of 2011 (CS 1.6)
Top 20 players of 2010 (CS 1.6)