Grand Theft Auto 6 qualifies for the 2026 Game Awards.

With the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 set for late 2026, many gamers have been speculating whether it will make the cut for the industry’s biggest awards event. We now have clarity on that front.

The Game Awards has updated its FAQ, stating that games must be commercially available by midnight ET on November 20 to qualify for the 2026 awards. This deadline is just a day shy of last year’s cutoff of November 21, 2025. For the Player’s Voice category, which is determined by fan votes, games need to launch on or before November 30. Since GTA 6 is set to release on November 19, it will just make the deadline.

Industry insider NateTheHate has reported that Rockstar plans to send out review codes to critics before the end of October, allowing judges enough time to experience the game before voting. Last year, nominees for the 2025 Game Awards were revealed on November 17, just four days before the cutoff. If Rockstar delays the distribution of review codes due to concerns about leaks, judges may have limited time to evaluate whether it deserves the Game of the Year title.

While The Game Awards is the most prominent gaming awards show, it has faced criticism for feeling more like a mini-E3 than a true awards ceremony. Instead of focusing solely on celebrating the past year’s achievements, the event has often been filled with trailers for upcoming games. However, last year’s show was better received, as it allowed more time for winners to express their gratitude, exemplified by Jennifer English’s heartfelt acceptance speech for Best Performance.

Even before its release, Grand Theft Auto 6 is poised to dominate the Game of the Year discussions, thanks to Rockstar’s impressive history. While 2026 has seen many strong releases, review aggregators like OpenCritic and Metacritic indicate that there isn’t a clear frontrunner yet, although several titles are competing closely. Games like Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Mina the Hollower, Forza Horizon 6, Big Walk, Pokopia, Pragmata, Star Wars: Zero Company, Blood of the Dawnwalker, and Resident Evil Requiem are all in the running. So far, this year lacks a standout title like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 or Baldur’s Gate 3, but GTA 6 could shift that narrative when it launches this November.

November 19 is just around the corner!