GTA 6 will be eligible for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2026, though only just. The show's updated FAQ says a game has to be commercially available on or before Friday, November 20, at 9 p.m. PT to qualify. GTA 6 launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, which puts it a single day inside the window, while the PC version is reportedly due in Q1 2027.
The ceremony itself takes place on December 10 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Of course, being eligible and getting nominated are two different things. Nominees are picked by a jury of more than 100 media and influencer outlets.
Enough jurors need to actually play the game before voting closes, and that part is a bit tricky. Rockstar has been very guarded about leaks, going digital-only at launch, and it is currently dealing with threats from a leaker who claims to have a full build. Earlier this year, one report claimed reviewers might only get to play at a closed, in-person event.
More recently, insider Nate The Hate said review copies should go out before the end of October, though neither Rockstar nor Take-Two has confirmed anything about review access yet. If that pans out, jurors should have a few weeks with the game, and it's reasonable to expect GTA 6 to be a strong contender for Game of the Year.
Source: TechPowerUp News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing