The Game Awards Will Reveal 2026 Nominees on Nov. 17 Livestream, With PlayStation 5 Joining December Show Streamers
The Game Awards will reveal its 2026 nominees in a live special on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT on YouTube and Twitch, two days before Rockstar Games launches Grand Theft Auto 6, widely seen as the leading Game of the Year contender. Host and executive producer Geoff Keighley will announce the games, studios and creative talent nominated, including for Game of the Year. Nominees are chosen by a global jury of media and creator outlets, including Variety. After the reveal, fans can browse the full list and vote at TheGameAwards.com.
The ceremony is Dec. 10 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. As usual, it will mix industry awards with world-premiere game announcements and live music. Keighley told Variety he does not yet know how far GTA 6 will dominate, either in trophies or airtime, because nominations are still unannounced. He cited last year’s independent hit Clair Obscur, which won many awards and “took over” the show, and said producers try to keep a balanced program. GTA is expected to be a major cultural moment across gaming and entertainment, and he hopes it is represented, while stressing many other games belong on the broadcast—including categories where GTA is ineligible, such as independent games. About half the show, he said, is announcements and future-looking material that is not GTA 6.
This year’s broadcast will stream on more platforms than ever, with first-time partners Disney+, Roblox and, Variety confirmed exclusively, Live TV on PlayStation 5. It will also air on YouTube, Twitch, Steam, TikTok Live, X, Kick, Facebook and Instagram Live in the U.S. and internationally, plus more than 20 platforms in China, including Baidu, Bilibili, Douyin, DouYu, Huya, WeChat, Weibo and Xiaohongshu, and partners such as CHZZK and SOOP in South Korea, NicoNico in Japan, Vidio in Indonesia, Now TV in Hong Kong, mewatch in Singapore, and BIGO LIVE and Likee in Southeast Asia. Keighley described a “no-friction” approach dating to 2014, when the show launched on Twitch, YouTube and Steam. The 2026 broadcast is the first time an external awards show has livestreamed on Roblox, which has hosted its own Innovation Awards and music events with The Rolling Stones, Billie Eilish and Stray Kids. Fans can vote via The Block before Dec. 10; on show night, Roblox users 18 and older can watch together in The Block, Roblox’s virtual event venue.
Continue in the app — vote & join in ➔