Guide
Golden Joysticks 2026: Why GTA 6 Isn't on the Most Wanted Shortlist
On this page
Current status
- Current status: Nominations published September 25. Voting is open until October 23.
- Last verified: October 19, 2026.
- Sources checked: GamesRadar (organiser), WastedStars, Radio Times.
- What is confirmed: GTA 6 isn't on the Most Wanted list, and GTA Online is in Still Playing (PC and Console).
- What is not confirmed yet: why GTA 6 was left out. Neither Future plc nor Rockstar has explained it.
Key dates
| Date | What | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 25 | Nominations announced | Confirmed |
| Oct 23 | Public voting closes | Confirmed (GamesRadar) |
| Oct 26–30 | Separate Ultimate Game of the Year voting window | Reported (GamesRadar, via WastedStars) |
| Nov 11 (Wed) | Ceremony in London | Confirmed |
| Nov 19 | GTA 6 launches, eight days after the show | Confirmed (Rockstar) |
WastedStars names the venue as the Troxy (Reported). Radio Times has a viewing guide.
Why isn't GTA 6 on the Most Wanted list?
What's confirmed: GTA 6 doesn't appear in the published Most Wanted nominations. The awards guide says "Games set for release after 11th November 2026 will be eligible for the Most Wanted award", which on paper includes a November 19 game (WastedStars, quoting GamesRadar).
What else the rules say (Reported, via WastedStars):
- This year's Most Wanted category focuses on games due in 2027 or with visible release windows.
- Publishers and the industry submitted nominations (closing August 28). A judging panel then picked the shortlist and can't guarantee every submission is included.
- An earlier GamesRadar story (September 22) said GTA 6 is "not eligible for any of this year's awards". That doesn't quite match the written Most Wanted rule, and neither page explains the gap.
Analysis (possible reasons, none confirmed): Take-Two and Rockstar may not have submitted it, the panel may have read "2027 focus" strictly, or the shorthand in GamesRadar's September story reflects the organisers' real view. Until Future plc or Rockstar says something, treat every explanation as speculation.
GTA Online's nomination
Confirmed: GTA Online is nominated in Still Playing (PC and Console), according to the nominations list. With GTA 6 eight days away, it's an awkward but notable nod to a game that has been live since 2013. Its future is covered in Will GTA Online shut down?.
Confirmed vs rumored: Golden Joysticks
| Claim | Status |
|---|---|
| Ceremony on November 11, 2026 in London | Confirmed (GamesRadar) |
| Voting closes October 23 | Confirmed (GamesRadar) |
| GTA 6 not among the 20 Most Wanted nominees | Confirmed (nominations list) |
| GTA Online nominated in Still Playing | Confirmed (nominations list) |
| Reason for GTA 6's absence | Not given |
| GTA 6 eligible for 2027 awards | Not confirmed |
The bottom line
GTA 6 sits out the 2026 Golden Joysticks entirely, and nobody has said why. GTA Online flies the flag instead. The big awards question is The Game Awards' eligibility cutoff. See our Game Awards guide and the full final-month calendar.
Sources checked
- GamesRadar: Golden Joystick Awards 2026 nominations
- WastedStars: GTA 6 missing from Most Wanted
- Radio Times: The Golden Joysticks 2026
Update log: 2026-10-19: Published.
Frequently asked questions
- Is GTA 6 nominated at the Golden Joysticks 2026?
- No. GTA 6 isn't among the 20 Most Wanted nominees. GTA Online is nominated in Still Playing (PC and Console).
- When are the Golden Joystick Awards 2026?
- The ceremony is Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in London. Public voting closes October 23.
- Why is GTA 6 missing from the Golden Joysticks?
- No reason has been given by the organisers or Rockstar.
Keep exploring GTA 6
Has played every mainline Grand Theft Auto since GTA III in 2001.
Editorial note: GTA6Home is an independent fan resource and is not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive. We track official Rockstar announcements and update this guide whenever the facts change — the “Last updated” date above reflects the latest review. Anything not officially confirmed is labeled per our Editorial Policy.