The Game Awards 2026 date announced – internet jokes GTA 6 will be most anticipated game again

Geoff Keighley officially confirmed that The Game Awards 2026 will once again take place on December 10, or the morning of December 11 for those living in the Eastern Hemisphere. The ceremony will traditionally be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Despite the event being almost a year away, the early announcement emphasizes its status as the "biggest night of the year" for the gaming industry, prompting developers and publishers to reserve slots for their major reveals in advance.

The main intrigue of the year is whether Grand Theft Auto VI will make the list of nominees. Rockstar's game is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026, which is literally one day before the anticipated deadline (typically the third Friday of November). If the game launches on time and critics manage to post their scores, we could witness a "steamroller effect" where GTA 6 sweeps aside all other projects. However, any delay or hiccup with review key distribution would push the title into competing for awards in 2027 instead.

The internet is already joking that GTA 6 is guaranteed at least one award if it misses its release date – namely "Most Anticipated Game of 2027."

Competition this year promises to be unprecedented. Among expected frontrunners are Resident Evil Requiem (the ninth entry in the series) scheduled for February 27, the mysterious Saros, the new Fable, and Remedy's Control Resonant. The lineup is so stacked that even without GTA 6, the battle for Game of the Year could turn into a fierce showdown – unless another surprise hit emerges like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Speaking of which, that game became last year's triumph. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took home nine statuettes.