GTA 6 eligible for The Game Awards 2026 by one day

Grand Theft Auto 6 is eligible for nomination at The Game Awards 2026. The show's website states games must be commercially available by November 20, 2026, at 9pm PT. Because GTA 6 launches on November 19, it meets the requirement by one day.

Some users on ResetEra and social media suggested the date was moved to accommodate Rockstar. However, Shinobi602 and Push Square note that cutoff dates usually fall around the Friday before Thanksgiving. Push Square reports the 2024 cutoff was November 22 and the 2025 cutoff was November 21. GameSpot adds that Rockstar likely planned the release around this recurring schedule.

The game could challenge the current record of nine wins held by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. For comparison, Red Dead Redemption 2 won four awards in 2018.

Outside of awards, Rockstar released a new launch trailer today focusing on the protagonists Jason and Lucia. The company is also facing an employment tribunal in Scotland. 31 former Rockstar North staff claim they were fired for union-busting, while Rockstar claims the firings were for gross misconduct. Eurogamer reports a verdict is not expected until November.