Golden Joystick Awards 2026: Time in India, Nominees, Stream

The Golden Joystick Awards 2026 ceremony is on Wednesday, November 11, at the Troxy in London, and the show streams live worldwide. For viewers in India, one event-schedule listing puts the ceremony at 5:30 p.m. GMT, which is 11:00 p.m. IST. Voting for the top prize, Ultimate Game of the Year, closed on October 30.

Quick summary

• Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Troxy, London (44th Golden Joystick Awards).
• Time in India: about 11:00 p.m. IST, based on a 5:30 p.m. GMT ceremony slot in the organiser's evening schedule as reported by one outlet. Future had not yet published a separate stream start time in the sources we checked, so confirm on the day.
• Host: actor Alix Wilton Regan (Lara Croft in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis).
• 12 games are up for Ultimate Game of the Year.
• 007 First Light and Big Walk lead the overall nominations.

What time are the Golden Joystick Awards 2026 in India?

The in-person schedule lists drinks at 4:30 p.m. GMT and the awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m. GMT. Converted, that is 12:30 p.m. US Eastern, 6:30 p.m. Central European Time and 11:00 p.m. India Standard Time on November 11. Because the show is streamed, the broadcast may begin slightly before or after the room schedule, so check the official Golden Joysticks and GamesRadar+ channels on X and YouTube. Last year's show was streamed on all major platforms, so expect the same.

Which games are nominated for Ultimate Game of the Year?

The Ultimate Game of the Year shortlist was revealed on October 26 and covers 12 games. Voting ran in a separate window so judges and fans had time to play the big autumn releases.

If you are following the field from India, we already cover several of these: see our Phantom Blade Zero review roundup and the Crimson Desert PC requirements and settings guide.

Who leads the other categories?

007 First Light and Big Walk lead the nominations, with the organiser's press release crediting each with six (some outlets count five depending on how Studio of the Year is treated). Resident Evil Requiem is next, and Dispatch, MECCHA CHAMELEON, Mewgenics, SAROS, The Blood of Dawnwalker and Valheim each have several nods. Console Game of the Year nominees include 007 First Light, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Forza Horizon 6, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Nioh 3, Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Pokémon Pokopia, among others. Best Lead Performer includes Patrick Gibson for James Bond.

How do the Golden Joysticks pick winners?

Most categories were decided by public vote: more than 20 categories closed on October 23, and Ultimate Game of the Year closed on October 30. The shortlist itself was chosen by a judging panel of editors from Future brands such as PC Gamer, GamesRadar+, Edge and Retro Gamer. Games had to release in set eligibility windows, and Most Wanted Game focuses on titles due in 2027 or with visible release windows. Last year Sandfall Interactive won seven awards for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, including Ultimate Game of the Year.

Is GTA 6 nominated?

GTA 6 is not on the Ultimate Game of the Year shortlist, because its release falls after that award's eligibility window. Check our launch calendar for dates on big upcoming games, and our deals page for free games and discounts, which often follow awards season.

Verdict: who is the early favourite?

Nominations are not wins, and fan voting can favour community-loved games over critics' picks. 007 First Light and Big Walk have the most nominations, so they carry momentum, but nothing is confirmed until the envelope opens on November 11. We will update this page after the show.

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