The Esports Awards is the most prestigious awards ceremony in the industry. It recognizes excellence in multiple areas across the board, including the streaming scene and those who help it thrive.
The Streamer of the Year award is the holy grail of awards that streamers can win. It’s been handed out since 2016 and won by the biggest streamers in the world.
For example, Dr Disrespect—who has since been left disgraced after admitting to messaging a minor through Twitch whispers—has won the Esports Award twice and Ibai has won a whopping three times. The Doc won it in 2017 and 2019, while Ibai won it back-to-back-to-back in 2020, 2021, and 2022 with a stunning streak of dominance.
While they’ve dominated, winning it five times out of the eight times it’s been awarded, they’re joined by three thers—Imaqtpie, Ninja, and mostly recently River.
Former League of Legends pro Imaqtpie won it in 2016 after hanging up the boots and transitioning into full-time streaming; the move earned him a huge following. Ninja won it at the peak of his rise to fame as a Fortnite streamer in 2018. His ascension to the top was extraordinary. The Esports Awards panel acknowledged it by making him the winner.
Most recently, Samy “Rivers_GG” Rivers took out the top plaudit. While many celebrated the rising streamer’s victory, other top stars like Asmongold and xQc claimed it was a “diversity” choice and lambasted the Esports Award panel for their pick.
Esports Awards Streamer of the Year winners
- 2016 – Michael “Imaqtpie” Santana
- 2017 – Dr Disrespect (a.k.a Guy Beahm)
- 2018 – Tyler “Ninja” Blevins
- 2019 – Dr Disrespect
- 2020 – Ibai “Ibai” Llanos
- 2021 – Ibai
- 2022 – Ibai
- 2023 — Samy Rivers
The Esports Award’s streamer gong is handed out eight months after the end of the year.
