The Golden Joystick Awards 2026 will be held November 11 in London, GamesRadar announced this week, with a new format for the 44th edition of the publicly voted show. Aroged reported September 23 that the shortlist and public voting both open September 25. Voting across 21 categories closes October 23, and the final round for Ultimate Game of the Year runs October 26 to 30.
GTA 6 launches November 19, eight days after the ceremony and almost four weeks after the main ballot closes. GamesRadar, which runs the Golden Joysticks, says that puts it outside this year's window, so it can't compete for Ultimate Game of the Year or the other awards for released games until next season. Neither GamesRadar nor ReadDork addresses Most Wanted Game, the category for unreleased titles, which GTA 6 won at the 2025 show. The shortlists go public September 25.
The Game Awards is a separate show set for December 10, 2026 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. GTA 6 launches November 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S.