Last updated: 28 October 2026. We’ll add the full list of nominees as soon as it is announced.
Every December, The Game Awards celebrate the year’s best games, and the show is famous for its surprise trailers and new game announcements. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 show.
For many players, the trailers matter as much as the trophies. The show has become one of the biggest moments of the gaming calendar, alongside summer showcases and trade fairs such as Gamescom. If you follow events like that, our Gamescom guide explains how the August fair works.
The Game Awards 2026 at a glance
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, 10 December 2026 |
| Venue | Peacock Theater, Los Angeles |
| Time in Europe | Early hours of Friday, 11 December |
| Time in India | Friday morning, 11 December |
| Price to watch | Free |
| Nominees | Expected in mid-November |
| Fan voting | On the official website |
When are The Game Awards 2026?
Thursday, 10 December 2026, in Los Angeles. The show is held at the Peacock Theater and starts in the evening US time, which means the early hours of Friday, 11 December in Europe and Friday morning in India. Check the official website for the exact start time in your time zone.
Because the show ends very late for European viewers, many people watch the replay the next morning. If you want to avoid spoilers, stay away from social media until you have seen it.
How to watch for free
The Game Awards are streamed free on many platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, X and TikTok, as well as on the official website. You don’t need a subscription.
A few practical tips for watching from Europe:
- Set a reminder on the official YouTube or Twitch channel, so you get a notification when the stream begins.
- Watch on a big screen. Most smart TVs and consoles have a YouTube or Twitch app, which is ideal for trailers.
- Plan for a long night. The main show usually runs for several hours, and there is often a pre-show before it.
- Catch up later. Trailers are usually uploaded as separate videos during or shortly after the show.
When are the nominees announced?
Nominees are usually announced in November, a few weeks before the show. Games released before the cut-off date set by the organisers are eligible. Because GTA 6 launches on 19 November, it is close to the usual cut-off, so it’s unclear whether it will be eligible this year or next.
The official website currently says the 2026 nominees are coming in mid-November, but no exact day has been confirmed yet. This article will be updated as soon as the list is public.
If you are getting ready for GTA 6 in the meantime, our GTA 6 launch checklist covers what to prepare before 19 November.
How does voting work?
- A jury of media outlets from around the world votes for most categories.
- Fans can vote on the official website too. Fan votes make up 10% of the result (the jury decides 90%), and the Players’ Voice award is decided entirely by fans.
To vote, you sign in on the official website, and the site saves your picks as you go. Fan voting normally opens once the nominees are announced, so the window is only a few weeks.
In short, a strong fan campaign can help a game. But in most categories, it cannot beat a clear jury favourite on its own. Players’ Voice is the exception, so it often shows which games have the most passionate communities.
Past Game of the Year winners
| Year | Game of the Year |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 |
| 2024 | Astro Bot |
| 2023 | Baldur’s Gate 3 |
| 2022 | Elden Ring |
| 2021 | It Takes Two |
| 2020 | The Last of Us Part II |
| 2019 | Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice |
| 2018 | God of War |
| 2017 | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild |
| 2016 | Overwatch |
| 2015 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt |
| 2014 | Dragon Age: Inquisition |
The list shows how varied the winners are: big open worlds, a co-op adventure, a competitive shooter and a platformer have all taken the top prize. Several winners also feature in our lists of best story RPGs and best open-world games.
How last year’s race looked
To give an idea of the competition, the 2025 Game of the Year category had six nominees:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (the winner)
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
A mix of big-budget games and smaller studios in the same category is now typical for the show.
What to expect
- World premieres: many studios reveal new games and trailers during the show.
- Lots of categories: from Game of the Year to Best Indie, Best Narrative and Best Esports Game.
- Surprises: some of the biggest moments each year are unannounced reveals.
Recent shows have also included awards such as Best Game Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Audio Design, Best Performance, Best Multiplayer, Most Anticipated Game and Content Creator of the Year. The final 2026 category list will be confirmed with the nominees.
Between the awards, expect live music and short appearances from developers and actors.
Tip: If you want to vote, make a shortlist of your favourite 2026 games now. Fan voting usually stays open for only a few weeks after the nominees are announced, so it helps to know your picks in advance.
How to avoid fake “leaks”
Every year, social media fills with supposed nominee lists and trailer leaks before the show.
- Trust official channels. The official website and The Game Awards’ own social accounts publish the real nominees.
- Be careful with screenshots. Fake nominee images are easy to create and spread quickly.
- Ignore “free key” giveaways that claim to be linked to the show. They are a common way to steal accounts.
From PixelAlex: I’ll share my personal Game of the Year pick once the nominees are announced. Check back for updates.
Official sources: The Game Awards (official site). Always check them for the latest details.
Quick answers
When are The Game Awards 2026?
On Thursday, 10 December 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. In Europe, the show runs in the early hours of Friday, 11 December; in India, it is Friday morning.
Where can I watch The Game Awards for free?
On YouTube, Twitch, X, TikTok and the official website, among other platforms. No subscription is needed.
When will the 2026 nominees be announced?
In mid-November, according to the official website. No exact date has been confirmed yet.
Will GTA 6 be nominated at The Game Awards 2026?
It is unclear. GTA 6 launches on 19 November, close to the usual cut-off, so it may count for this year or next year.
Who won Game of the Year in 2025?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Can anyone vote?
Yes. Fans can vote on the official website, and fan votes count for 10% of the result in most categories, plus all of Players’ Voice.
We’ll update this article
When the nominees are announced, we’ll add the full list. On the night, we’ll publish all the winners. Bookmark this page.
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