The nominees for the international Gayming Awards 2026 have been revealed, with a host of prominent game development teams, content creators, actors, organisations and games spotlighted for their contributions to LGBTQIA+ creativity and representation.
Australian-made game Hollow Knight: Silksong is highlighted as a Gayming Fan Favourite, as well as achieving a nomination for Game of the Year. Hades 2 has also achieved multiple nominations for both Game of the Year and for lead character Melinoë.
The tongue-in-cheek narrative game Date Everything! is nominated as a Gayming Fan Favourite, with additional nominations as Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game, and an individual nomination for the characters of Eddie and Volt.
The 2026 ceremony to crown the winners will take place in the US on 8 June, hosted by actor Erika Ishii (Ghost of Yōtei, Apex Legends) and drag artist Dawn (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16).
Here’s the full list of nominees.
Gayming Awards 2026 nominees – quick links
Game of the Year
- Ball x Pit (Kenny Sun / Devolver Digital)
- Blue Prince (Dogubomb / Raw Fury)
- Ghost of Yōtei (Sucker Punch Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Hades 2 (Supergiant Games)
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry)
- South of Midnight (Compulsion Games / Xbox Game Studios)
Gayming Magazine Fan Favorite Award
- Date Everything! (Sassy Chap Games / Team17)
- Dead by Daylight – Steady Pulse (Behaviour Interactive)
- Hades 2 (Supergiant Games)
- Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry)
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (Warhorse Studios / Deep Silver)
- Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Don’t Nod)
Best LGBTQ+ Character Award
- Sir Hans Capon – Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
- Eddie & Volt – Date Everything!
- Kat Mikaelsen – Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
- Melinoë – Hades 2
- Orela Rose – Dead by Daylight
- Samar – Spirit Swap
Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game Award
- Date Everything! (Sassy Chap Games / Team17)
- Monster Prom 4: Monster Con (Beautiful Glitch)
- Quantum Witch (NikkiJay)
- Spirit Swap (Soft Not Weak)
- Tales of Seikyu (ACE Entertainment / Fireshine Games)
- The Beekeepers Picnic (The Wonder Room)
Community Impact Award
- Boston Gaymers
- Gaymers Inc
- Gaymer Nights
- NYC Gaymers
- Qweerty Gamers
- SlayStation
LGBTQ+ Voice Actor of the Year Award
- Allegra Clark
- Jay Taylor
- Jennifer English
- Michael Lorz
- Robyn Holdaway
- Tobias Weatherburn
Industry Diversity Award
- Behaviour Interactive
- Don’t Nod
- Out Making Games (OMG)
- Riot Games
LGBTQ+ Contribution to Esports Award
- British Esports Federation
- Cora Kennedy
- Team Liquid
- Valorant Game Changers
Queer Geek Entertainment of the Year Award
- Dimension 20: Dungeons & Drag Queens, Season 2 (Dropout)
- Harley Quinn Season 5 (DC Studios / HBO Max)
- Hazbin Hotel Season 2 (Amazon)
- Stranger Things Season 5 (Netflix)
- The Mighty Nein (Amazon MGM Studios / Critical Role / Titmouse)
- The Last of Us Season 2 (Sony Pictures Television / HBO)
Gayming Awards LGBTQ+ Content Creator of the Year Award
- ArtemirGaming
- Blizz
- BoyeFran
- GhCoffee
- Hyjules
- KoiJay
- Phaun
- Ravynia
Gayming Awards LGBTQ+ Breakout Content Creator
- Devoglaer
- HaiMoonX
- KyaColosseum
- OllieDreamer
- PhilipCroft
- Retrowolve
- TheFunkoBeard
- WillJinkies
The awards for Gayming Icon, LGBTQ+ Content Creator Superstar, and the Streamer Rising Star Class of 2026 will be revealed in May.
