The Game Awards 2026 Date Announced: Will GTA 6 Qualify for Nominations?

The official date for The Game Awards 2026 has now been confirmed, setting the stage for one of the most competitive years in gaming history. With blockbuster titles expected throughout the year — including the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 — fans are already asking one key question: Will GTA 6 be eligible for The Game Awards 2026?

The Game Awards 2026 Date and Venue Confirmed

December 10, 2026 Event Announced by Geoff Keighley

The Game Awards 2026 will take place live on Thursday, December 10, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. The announcement was made by Geoff Keighley, the creator, producer, and host of the annual gaming awards show.

Keighley shared the update via a post on X and noted that more details about the event will be revealed later this year. First launched in 2014, The Game Awards has grown into one of the most influential events in the gaming industry, celebrating the year’s best titles while unveiling major upcoming releases from both AAA studios and independent developers.

Will GTA 6 Be Eligible for The Game Awards 2026?

Eligibility Cutoff Date Could Decide GTA 6’s Fate

The eligibility of Grand Theft Auto 6 for The Game Awards 2026 remains uncertain due to the event’s release cutoff rules.

Traditionally, The Game Awards sets its eligibility cutoff on the Friday of the third week of November. For reference:

• The eligibility cutoff for The Game Awards 2025 (aired December 11, 2025) was Friday, November 21, 2025, at 9pm PT

• Any games released after that cutoff automatically moved to the following year’s awards

Based on this pattern, the expected eligibility cutoff for The Game Awards 2026 would likely fall on Friday, November 20.

GTA 6 Release Timing Is Crucial

According to current timelines, GTA 6 is scheduled to release just one day before the expected cutoff date, meaning the game could narrowly qualify for nominations at The Game Awards 2026.

However, if Rockstar Games delays the launch again, GTA 6 would instead become eligible for The Game Awards 2027, postponing its awards debut by a year.

A Packed Year for Gaming in 2026

Major Titles Expected to Compete for Top Awards

Even without GTA 6, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest and most competitive years in gaming. Several high-profile releases are expected to contend for major awards, including:

• Resident Evil Requiem

• Marvel’s Wolverine

• Control Resonant

• Forza Horizon 3

• 007 First Light

With such a crowded slate, competition for categories like Game of the Year, Best Direction, and Best Narrative is expected to be intense.

Looking Back: Highlights from The Game Awards 2025

Record-Breaking Wins and Big Game Reveals

The Game Awards 2025 were held live on December 11 at the same Peacock Theatre venue and were streamed globally on YouTube and Twitch.

One of the biggest stories of the night was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which won a record nine awards, including Game of the Year. The debut title from French indie studio Sandfall Interactive also secured wins for:

• Best Game Direction

• Best Narrative

• Best Art Direction

• Best Score and Music

• Best Performance

Major Announcements at The Game Awards 2025

The event also featured several high-profile game reveals, including:

• Divinity, the next project from Larian Studios

• Control Resonant from Remedy Entertainment

• Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic from Casey Hudson’s new studio

• Two new Tomb Raider titles from Crystal Dynamics

What to Expect from The Game Awards 2026

With its December 10 date locked in, The Game Awards 2026 is expected to deliver:

• High-stakes award battles

• World premieres and surprise announcements

• Potential first-year recognition for GTA 6, depending on release timing

More information regarding nominations, categories, and livestream details is expected closer to the event.