The Game Awards 2026: Date, Start Time, Nominees and How to Watch
The Game Awards returns on December 10, 2026, with new game reveals, performances and the biggest awards of the year. Here is when it starts, how to watch and when the nominees will be announced.
The Game Awards 2026 will stream live on Thursday, December 10, 2026, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The opening act begins at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT, which means European viewers will need to stay up until early Friday morning.
The show will combine its annual awards with new game announcements, world premieres and musical performances. The nominees have not been announced yet: the official Game Awards website says they are coming in mid-November 2026.
The Game Awards 2026 at a glance
| Detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, December 10, 2026 |
| Venue | Peacock Theater, Los Angeles |
| Opening act | 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT |
| UK start time | 12:30 a.m. GMT on December 11 |
| Central European start time | 1:30 a.m. CET on December 11 |
| Nominees | Expected in mid-November |
| Stream | Free across major streaming platforms |
| Public tickets | On sale through AXS from October 29 |
What time does The Game Awards 2026 start?
The opening act starts at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The corresponding international times are:
- Los Angeles: 4:30 p.m. PT on December 10
- New York: 7:30 p.m. ET on December 10
- London: 12:30 a.m. GMT on December 11
- Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris: 1:30 a.m. CET on December 11
These times apply to the opening act. The main ceremony follows during the same broadcast.
How to watch The Game Awards 2026
The show will be available to watch for free through major livestreaming services. The official broadcast links should appear on The Game Awards website closer to the event.
No paid subscription is required for the regular online broadcast. Official co-streams are also permitted, so viewers will likely be able to follow the ceremony through participating creators.
When will the 2026 nominees be announced?
The nominees are scheduled to arrive in mid-November 2026. No complete nominee list was available when this article was published.
Most categories are selected by an international jury of more than 100 media and influencer outlets. Specialist juries handle categories including esports, accessibility and best adaptation.
Games must generally be commercially available by November 20 at 9 p.m. PT to qualify. The later deadline for the fan-led Players’ Voice category is November 30.
HEET.GG will update this guide as soon as the nominees are official. Until then, readers can follow the wider competitive season through our ongoing esports tournaments.
How voting works
For most categories, the final result combines:
- 90% from the official voting jury
- 10% from public fan voting
Fans will be able to vote for their preferred nominees on the official Game Awards website. Public voting is scheduled to close on December 9 at 6 p.m. PT.
Players’ Voice is different because it is designed as a fan-driven category. That makes it the clearest opportunity for the wider gaming community to determine a winner directly.
What to expect from the show
The Game Awards is more than an awards ceremony. The organizers have confirmed a mixture of awards, world premieres and musical performances.
Specific trailers and game announcements are normally kept secret until the broadcast. Treat supposed reveal lists circulating on social media as rumors unless they are confirmed by the relevant developer, publisher or The Game Awards itself.
The esports categories will also recognize teams, players, coaches and events from the competitive season. Check the latest HEET.GG gaming and esports news for coverage before and after the ceremony.
Can you attend The Game Awards 2026?
Yes. A limited number of public tickets are scheduled to go on sale through AXS on October 29, 2026. Availability is likely to be limited, and tickets should only be purchased through the official ticketing route linked by The Game Awards.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Game Awards 2026 free to watch?
Yes. The regular livestream will be available for free through major streaming services.
Have the 2026 nominees been announced?
Not yet. The official website says the nominees are coming in mid-November.
When does fan voting close?
Voting for the regular categories closes on December 9 at 6 p.m. PT.
Will new games be announced?
The organizers have confirmed world premieres, but individual games and trailers remain unannounced.