The Game Awards sets Nov. 17 nominations, adds Roblox

By Daniel Okafor

The Game Awards will reveal its 2026 nominees on Nov. 17, two days before Rockstar Games launches Grand Theft Auto 6, Variety reports.

Variety describes Grand Theft Auto 6 as the show’s overwhelming Game of the Year contender. The field remains hidden. Geoff Keighley, host and executive producer, said he cannot yet gauge the game’s impact.

Who gets nominated on Nov. 17?

Variety reports that the live special begins Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 12 p.m. ET and 9 a.m. PT on YouTube and Twitch. Keighley will announce the nominated games, studios and creative talent across categories, including Game of the Year.

After the reveal, fans can visit TheGameAwards.com to see the full slate and cast their votes, according to Variety. A global jury of media publications and creator outlets selects the nominees. Variety sits among those outlets.

Variety reports that the ceremony takes place Dec. 10 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and will again combine awards with world-premiere game announcements and live musical performances.

How much will GTA 6 shape the show?

Keighley told Variety:

“Every year is different at the show,” Keighley told Variety. “You remember last year, ‘Clair Obscur’ did very well, won a ton of awards, and sort of took over the show in its own way as an independent game.”

Keighley expects GTA to factor into the show, although he cannot yet gauge its award haul, airtime or presence on screen. The nomination count remains unknown until next week.

He hopes GTA will be represented while many other games fill categories where it is ineligible, including independent games and other categories. He praised Rockstar’s work as incredible and worth celebrating. Keighley also said half the show concerns announcements and future-looking material outside GTA 6.

Where will the Dec. 10 show be available?

Variety can confirm exclusively that Live TV on PS5 joins Disney+ and Roblox as first-time partners. The 2026 broadcast will reach more platforms than ever.

• United States and international territories: YouTube, Twitch, Steam, TikTok Live, X, Kick, Facebook and Instagram Live.
• China: more than 20 platforms, including Baidu, Bilibili, Douyin, DouYu, Huya, WeChat, Weibo and Xiaohongshu.
• South Korea: CHZZK and SOOP.
• Japan: NicoNico; Indonesia: Vidio.
• Hong Kong: Now TV; Singapore: mewatch.
• Southeast Asia: BIGO LIVE and Likee.

What does Roblox change?

According to The Game Awards, the 2026 broadcast will be the first external awards show livestreamed on Roblox. The platform previously hosted its annual Roblox Innovation Awards, along with music experiences featuring The Rolling Stones, Billie Eilish and Stray Kids.

Fans can cast official category votes through The Block before Dec. 10. On show night, Roblox users aged 18 and older can watch together in The Block, Roblox’s premiere virtual event venue. They can vote, interact and claim virtual merchandise, The Game Awards says.

Will The Game Awards leave YouTube?

Amazon’s Prime Video signed on as a streaming partner last year, Variety reports. Keighley treats Disney+, Roblox and Live TV on PS5 as additive rather than exclusive.

“That’s the other thing is that we’re not interested in doing exclusive deals,” Keighley said. “We’ve had lots of offers on moving to one platform, but our goal is always to be additive and bring more people into the family of celebrating video games.”

Variety reports that he still has no plans to license the show to one platform or remove it from YouTube, where it remains available for free.

Keighley’s distribution policy dates to 2014, when The Game Awards began with Twitch, YouTube and Steam under what he calls a no-friction distribution policy: bringing games to every screen where people watch. He told Variety that his goal remains reaching as many places as possible.

Over the past 13 years, new platforms, entrants and viewing habits have expanded that reach. Keighley said this year’s roster of major partners reflects that change.

Variety lists Keighley and Kimmie Kim as executive producers, Richard Preuss as director, LeRoy Bennett as creative director and Lara Karchmer as co-executive producer.

Dec. 10 will test Keighley’s stated balance: a likely GTA 6 centerpiece, many other nominees, and a show split across a widening field of services.