Game Awards 2026: All Game of the Year Front-Runners and Predictions
The 13th Game Awards, scheduled for December 10, 2026, is expected to be dominated by Grand Theft Auto 6—but with a significant caveat. The game’s eligibility hinges on its release date not slipping by more than one day, and the timing is tight for the voting body to adequately evaluate it.
However, history suggests the race remains genuinely competitive. Previous years have seen major Rockstar releases defeated by other acclaimed titles: God of War won Game of the Year over Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018, and The Last of Us triumphed over GTA 5 in 2013. These precedents indicate that despite GTA 6’s cultural momentum, other strong contenders could still claim victory.
The Game Awards voting body comprises international games media outlets (including Polygon) with varying contribution levels to the final voting tally. This diverse panel structure has historically produced unpredictable outcomes, particularly when high-profile releases face eligibility constraints or when the voting community rallies behind alternative titles. Whether GTA 6 crosses the finish line as the presumed frontrunner or another game upsets the expected outcome remains genuinely uncertain at this stage.