Voting is open in the first Golden Joystick Awards 2026 public ballot, which covers 21 categories. As of October 3, the ballot is scheduled to close October 23; a separate Ultimate Game of the Year vote is scheduled for October 26–30. Cast a vote through the GamesRadar voting page while the initial ballot is open, and check the live form for its current submission requirements.
How to vote in the Golden Joystick Awards 2026
- Open the GamesRadar Golden Joystick Awards voting page.
- Choose nominees in the public-vote categories shown on the live ballot. The form is the place to confirm the current nominee list and any account, email, or submission requirements; those mechanics are not established by the published schedule alone.
- Submit your selections before the first ballot closes. The voting page says registered voters may claim a selected gaming or retro-gaming ebook, but check the offer and its terms on the page before relying on it.
Golden Joystick Awards 2026 voting and ceremony dates
GamesRadar’s published schedule sets out the stages below. Dates are for 2026; the first ballot was already open on October 3.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Nominations open | August 6 |
| Nominations close | August 28 |
| Shortlist announced and public voting opens | September 25 |
| Initial public ballot closes | October 23 |
| Ultimate Game of the Year voting | October 26–30 |
| 44th annual awards ceremony | November 11, in London |
The event announcement says the in-person ceremony is scheduled for Troxy in London. Dates can change, so consult the voting page for the current schedule before acting.
What is on the 21-category ballot?
The public ballot spans several different kinds of recognition. These are the 21 categories GamesRadar lists for the initial vote:
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- 【Playful Recognition Design】Featuring a humorous thumbs-up design, this award trophy adds a fun and lighthearted touch to any competition or achievement. Its eye-catching golden color symbolizes victory and success, making recipients feel special and appreciated.
- 【Durable Material Construction】Crafted from premium-quality plastic material, this golden thumbs up trophy ensures long-lasting durability and sturdiness. The waterproof properties make it suitable for various environments, while the smooth gold plated finish maintains its elegant appearance.
- 【Versatile Application Scenarios】This plastic trophy serves multiple purposes across different settings including sports competitions, tournaments, corporate employee recognition programs, and office achievements. It also functions excellently as party favors for music-themed birthdays, talent shows, or singing competitions.
- 【Practical Size Features】Measuring 5.12 inches in height (13 cm), with a width of 2.17 inches (5.5 cm), this 8 PCS compact trophy set is lightweight and easy to handle. The convenient size allows for effortless storage and transportation without occupying excessive space, making it ideal for bulk use during award ceremonies, team events, or multiple recipient situations.
- 【Complete Package Contents】The package includes 8 individually wrapped golden thumbs up trophies. Each trophy undergoes quality control to ensure proper construction between the plastic base and gold finish.
- Craft: Best Storytelling, Best Visual Design, Best Audio Design, Best Soundtrack.
- Game formats and lifecycle: Best Multiplayer Game, Best Indie Game, Best Indie Game – Self Published, Still Playing Award – PC and Console, Still Playing Award – Mobile, Best Remake / Remaster, Best Game Expansion, Best Early Access Game.
- People and studios: Best Lead Performer, Best Supporting Performer, Studio of the Year.
- Platforms and hardware: PC Game of the Year, Console Game of the Year, Best Gaming Hardware.
- Adaptation, trailers, and upcoming games: Best Game Adaptation, Best Game Trailer, Most Wanted Game.
Most Wanted concerns games due after November 11, 2026, while the game-of-the-year categories recognize released games. The voting page describes broad eligibility windows and exceptions, including categories for ongoing games and expansions. Check its live rules for a particular nominee; category labels alone do not settle eligibility.
Ultimate Game of the Year is a separate vote
Ultimate Game of the Year is not one of the 21 categories in the initial ballot. GamesRadar schedules its voting for October 26–30, after the first public vote closes. The shortlist report says Ultimate Game of the Year nominations had not yet opened when that report was published, so use the live voting page for the eventual nominees rather than assuming they are already part of the first ballot.
Rank #2
- 【Playful Recognition Design】Featuring a humorous thumbs-up design, this award trophy adds a fun and lighthearted touch to any competition or achievement. Its eye-catching golden color symbolizes victory and success, making recipients feel special and appreciated.
- 【Durable Material Construction】Crafted from premium-quality plastic material, this golden thumbs up trophy ensures long-lasting durability and sturdiness. The waterproof properties make it suitable for various environments, while the smooth gold plated finish maintains its elegant appearance.
- 【Practical Size Features】Measuring 5.12 inches in height (13 cm), with a width of 2.17 inches (5.5 cm), this 4 PCS compact trophy set is lightweight and easy to handle. The convenient size allows for effortless storage and transportation without occupying excessive space, making it ideal for bulk use during award ceremonies, team events, or multiple recipient situations.
- 【Versatile Application Scenarios】This plastic trophy serves multiple purposes across different settings including sports competitions, tournaments, corporate employee recognition programs, and office achievements. It also functions excellently as party favors for music-themed birthdays, talent shows, or singing competitions.
- 【Complete Package Contents】The package includes 4 individually wrapped golden thumbs up trophies. Each trophy undergoes quality control to ensure proper construction between the plastic base and gold finish.
Not every Golden Joystick award is decided by public voting
The public ballot is only part of the awards. Streamers’ Choice, Breakthrough, and Critics’ Choice are described as jury-selected awards, so voting in the 21 public categories does not decide every award. GamesRadar says industry nominations inform the process and a judging panel selects the final shortlist, with editors and contributors from brands including PC Gamer, Future Games Show, Edge, Retro Gamer, and GamesRadar, alongside industry experts.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Nominees to know
In GamesRadar’s shortlist report, Big Walk and 007: First Light lead with five nominations apiece; Resident Evil: Requiem is among the other prominent nominees. Nomination counts are context, not a substitute for comparing the categories and nominees on the ballot.
Rank #3
- 【Durable Material Construction】Crafted from premium-quality plastic material, this golden thumbs up trophy ensures long-lasting durability and sturdiness. The waterproof properties make it suitable for various environments, while the smooth gold plated finish maintains its elegant appearance.
- 【Playful Recognition Design】Featuring a humorous thumbs-up design, this award trophy adds a fun and lighthearted touch to any competition or achievement. Its eye-catching golden color symbolizes victory and success, making recipients feel special and appreciated.
- 【Versatile Application Scenarios】This plastic trophy serves multiple purposes across different settings including sports competitions, tournaments, corporate employee recognition programs, and office achievements. It also functions excellently as party favors for music-themed birthdays, talent shows, or singing competitions.
- 【Practical Size Features】Measuring 5.12 inches in height (13 cm), with a width of 2.17 inches (5.5 cm), this compact trophy is lightweight and easy to handle. The convenient size allows for effortless storage and transportation without occupying excessive space, making it ideal for bulk use during award ceremonies, team events, or multiple recipient situations.
- 【Complete Package Contents】The package includes individually wrapped golden thumbs up trophies. Each trophy undergoes quality control to ensure proper construction between the plastic base and gold finish.
Best Gaming Hardware nominees
The reported nominees are Logitech G PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE, Razer Viper V4 Pro, Secretlab ATLAS, Sony INZONE M10S II, Steam Controller, and Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II. Steam Controller is a nominee, not an endorsement or a finding about its performance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- 【Durable Material Construction】Crafted from premium-quality plastic material, this golden thumbs up trophy ensures long-lasting durability and sturdiness. The waterproof properties make it suitable for various environments, while the smooth gold plated finish maintains its elegant appearance.
- 【Playful Recognition Design】Featuring a humorous thumbs-up design, this award trophy adds a fun and lighthearted touch to any competition or achievement. Its eye-catching golden color symbolizes victory and success, making recipients feel special and appreciated.
- 【Practical Size Features】This compact trophy is lightweight and easy to handle. The convenient size allows for effortless storage and transportation without occupying excessive space, making it ideal for bulk use during award ceremonies, team events, or multiple recipient situations.
- 【Versatile Application Scenarios】This plastic trophy serves multiple purposes across different settings including sports competitions, tournaments, corporate employee recognition programs, and office achievements. It also functions excellently as party favors for music-themed birthdays, talent shows, or singing competitions.
- 【Complete Package Contents】The package includes individually wrapped golden thumbs up trophies. Each trophy undergoes quality control to ensure proper construction between the plastic base and gold finish.
Sources and schedule
- GamesRadar+ voting page — ballot categories, schedule, eligibility summary, voting, and voter reward information.
- GamesRadar+ 2026 event announcement — the 44th annual event and London ceremony information.
- GamesRadar+ shortlist report — nominee examples and hardware list.
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