2026, a year filled with thrill, anticipation and ample games from different genres. Surely! This year will be the busiest year the gaming community has ever witnessed. 

 

With so much to anticipate, TGA 2026, also known as The Game Awards 2026, has reappeared to acknowledge games based on their most captivating characteristics. 

 

Going to be held on December 10, 2026, at Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, the announcement was revealed by Geoff Keighley at his official X account (formerly known as Twitter) a couple of hours ago. 

 

Rather than announcing the event’s date at a large expo with more information, the announcement made its way to social media platforms, raising curiosity amongst fans. 

 

If you are thinking which games will get eligible, or if GTA 6 will be eligible for the TGA 2026, then we are both on the same boat. 

What are the TGA Eligibility Criteria? 

Before bragging about your favourite upcoming game and its chances to win the TGA 2026 with full bias, here are some TGA Eligibility criteria every gamer must know so that they won’t call the awards rigged or curse the production house at free will : 

 

(Although the awards are based on the game’s best characteristics, some gamers don’t accept their defeat.)

  • Early access, beta versions, or online patch does not count as eligible unless the full game launches.
  • The game releasing before the TGA cut-off date- qualifies (usually mid-November).
  • Games officially releasing after the cut-off date are counted under the next year's award ceremony.

Which Games will Likely Qualify for the TGA 2026?

Now that’s a bold question to ask a gamer. 2026 holds a plethora of games, and there will be many opinions regarding a game’s visuals, cinematic fight scenes, or beyond-belief combat mechanisms, but here are some games that TGA 2026 will definitely scout :

  • Resident Evil Requiem (February 27, 2026)
  • WWE 2K26 (March 13, 2026)
  • Crimson Desert (March 19, 2026)
  • 007 First Light (May 27, 2026)
  • Forza Horizon 6 (May 19, 2026)
  • Marvel’s Wolverine (Fall 2026- speculated for September)
  • Phantom Blade-Zero (September 9, 2026)
  • GTA 6 (November 19, 2026)

As per my perspective, these are the games TGA will vouch for, especially the undisputed titles like Marvel’s Wolverine, Resident Evil Requiem, and GTA 6.

Will GTA 6 Pass the Eligibility Criteria

According to the TGA 2026 eligibility criteria, it all depends on the GTA 6 release timeline. If the cut-off date for TGA 2026 is November 20, 2026, according to speculations. Then my lad, it’s a win-win situation for Rockstar Games, and they might break the record of most awards won at TGA  by Claire Obscure: Expedition 33.

 

A one-sided award-winning night at TGA 2026. Still, GTA 6 will face problems if released on the announced date; jurors at TGA 2026 will get a short amount of time to elaborate on their judgment. 

 

However, the GTA franchise is known for delaying its release date further, so technically, if this happens, the 6th part will be shifted to the TGA 2027. 

 

Based on the judgment criteria, such as technical ambition and cultural impact, followed by the Game Award, GTA VI’s victory is invincible. 

 

Although it’s a speculation from leaks, if you can’t win numerous awards after investing $2 billion, then it’s considered a joke of the decade. 

 

Moreover, if this strategic release does not happen on the announced timeline, GTA 6 will face games like Black Myth: Zhong Kui, Nioh 3, Gang of Dragon, and many more from the gaming arsenal.

Final Verdict

Whether GTA’s sixth part qualifies or not, or your favourite game wins the GOTY title, TGA has always been a treat to watch. Still, if you want your all-time favourite GTA franchise to win several awards then start mailing Rockstar to hurry up with their development phase. However, the TGA judgement in 2024 still gives me a good laugh; Astro Bot over Black Myth: Wukong (you got to be kidding me on this one)!