Awards Won by Grand Theft Auto VI
Grand Theft Auto VI has won five major pre-release awards as of September 11, 2026. GTA VI won Most Wanted Game at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards, Most Anticipated Game at The Game Awards 2024, then repeated both anticipation wins in 2025. Its second trailer also won Best Game Trailer at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards.
Awards Won by Grand Theft Auto VI. That means GTA VI has already collected significant recognition despite being an unreleased game. However, these are primarily awards for anticipation and marketing rather than awards judging the finished game. GTA VI has not yet won Game of the Year.
Rockstar Games currently lists November 19, 2026 as the official release date for Grand Theft Auto VI on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
GTA VI Awards Won So Far
Here is the clearest breakdown of the GTA VI award wins before launch:
| Year | Award Show | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Golden Joystick Awards | Most Wanted Game | Won |
| 2024 | The Game Awards | Most Anticipated Game | Won |
| 2025 | Golden Joystick Awards | Most Wanted Game | Won |
| 2025 | Golden Joystick Awards | Best Game Trailer | Won |
| 2025 | The Game Awards | Most Anticipated Game | Won |
So, the current total is five major pre-release award wins.
What Awards Has GTA VI Won Before Release?
1. Most Wanted Game — Golden Joystick Awards 2024
GTA VI’s first major pre-release award came at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards, where it won Most Wanted Game.
The category included several highly anticipated upcoming games, including Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Doom: The Dark Ages, Fable, Ghost of Yōtei, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Mafia: The Old Country and Monster Hunter Wilds.
The win was particularly notable because GTA VI was still unreleased. The award therefore reflected the enormous anticipation surrounding Rockstar’s next Grand Theft Auto game rather than reviews of the completed product.
A Rockstar representative attended the ceremony and accepted the award on behalf of the development team.
2. Most Anticipated Game — The Game Awards 2024
GTA VI followed that success with another major victory at The Game Awards 2024.
It won Most Anticipated Game, beating titles including Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Ghost of Yōtei, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Monster Hunter Wilds.
This was an important distinction. The Game Awards’ Game of the Year award went to Astro Bot, while GTA VI won the separate anticipation category. Therefore, saying GTA VI won GOTY in 2024 would be incorrect.
3. Most Wanted Game — Golden Joystick Awards 2025
GTA VI did not stop with one Most Wanted Game victory.
At the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards, GTA VI won Most Wanted Game for a second consecutive year. It was competing against a large field of highly anticipated releases, including Resident Evil Requiem, The Witcher 4, Crimson Desert, Marvel’s Wolverine and 007 First Light.
This consecutive win is significant because it shows that interest in GTA VI remained exceptionally strong even after the game’s release was pushed further into 2026.
4. Best Game Trailer — Golden Joystick Awards 2025
GTA VI also won Best Game Trailer at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards for Trailer 2.
The trailer competed against footage from games such as Battlefield 6, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and Romeo Is a Dead Man.
This award is different from an award for the finished game. It recognizes the effectiveness of the trailer itself, making it a form of pre-launch recognition for GTA VI’s presentation and marketing.
5. Most Anticipated Game — The Game Awards 2025
GTA VI also won Most Anticipated Game at The Game Awards 2025.
The official Game Awards listing identifies Grand Theft Auto VI as the winner in the category, ahead of 007 First Light, Marvel’s Wolverine, Resident Evil Requiem and The Witcher IV.
This gave GTA VI back-to-back Most Anticipated Game wins at The Game Awards in 2024 and 2025.
Why Is GTA VI Winning Awards Before Release?
The simple answer is anticipation.
Most of GTA VI’s pre-release awards do not evaluate the complete game. Instead, they recognize how strongly players and the wider gaming audience expect the upcoming title to perform.
Several factors explain the attention.
The Grand Theft Auto Brand
The Grand Theft Auto franchise is one of gaming’s biggest entertainment properties. Rockstar Games has built enormous expectations around the next numbered entry following Grand Theft Auto V.
That gives GTA VI an unusual level of public interest before launch.
GTA VI Trailers
The trailers have also played an important role.
Rockstar’s official store currently features both Trailer 1 and Trailer 2, with the second trailer forming the basis of GTA VI’s 2025 Golden Joystick Best Game Trailer win.
Trailer 2 provided additional footage of Jason, Lucia, Vice City and the wider Leonida setting, giving players more information about the game’s characters and world.
Rockstar’s Marketing Strategy
Rockstar has historically relied on carefully controlled reveals rather than constant updates.
That makes every major GTA VI trailer, screenshot, announcement and release-date change a major event within the gaming community.
The result is a marketing cycle where relatively limited official information can generate substantial discussion.
GTA VI Awards vs. GOTY: What’s the Difference?
This is one of the most important points to understand.
GTA VI has won pre-release awards, but it has not won Game of the Year.
Awards such as Most Wanted Game and Most Anticipated Game measure anticipation. Best Game Trailer recognizes a specific marketing trailer.
A traditional Game of the Year award normally evaluates the completed gaming experience after critics and players have had an opportunity to play it.
Because GTA VI has not launched as of September 11, 2026, it cannot yet be judged as a finished 2026 release in the normal GOTY sense.
The official release date is November 19, 2026.
GTA VI 2024 Awards
The 2024 award season produced two important GTA VI victories:
- Golden Joystick Awards 2024: Most Wanted Game
- The Game Awards 2024: Most Anticipated Game
At the time, GTA VI was still an upcoming game. The victories therefore represented the level of anticipation surrounding Rockstar’s project rather than critical reception to the finished title. Source: Facebook
GTA VI 2025 Awards
The 2025 award season was even stronger for GTA VI.
It won:
- Golden Joystick Awards: Most Wanted Game
- Golden Joystick Awards: Best Game Trailer for Trailer 2
- The Game Awards: Most Anticipated Game
The Golden Joystick results specifically list GTA VI as the winner of both Most Wanted Game and Best Game Trailer.
What About GTA VI Awards in 2026?
As of September 11, 2026, GTA VI has not added any 2026 award wins to this pre-release total.
That does not mean there will be no GTA VI awards in 2026. The game’s official launch is scheduled for November 19, 2026, so the major post-launch award cycle will depend on when ceremonies establish their eligibility periods and whether GTA VI qualifies for their categories.
This distinction matters because an upcoming award nomination should not be presented as an award win.
Will GTA VI Win More Awards After Launch?
Very possibly, but it is too early to state that as a fact.
Once GTA VI is released, it can be judged on areas that pre-release awards cannot fully measure, including:
- Gameplay
- Story and characters
- Open-world design
- Graphics and visual presentation
- Audio and soundtrack
- Performance
- Technical quality
- Innovation
- Accessibility
- Overall player experience
That could eventually put GTA VI into Game of the Year and other competitive categories.
However, nominations and wins will depend on the finished game, critics, players, award bodies and eligibility rules.
GTA VI vs. Other Highly Anticipated Games
GTA VI is not the only major unreleased game attracting attention.
The 2025 Golden Joystick Most Wanted Game field includ
FAQs
1. How many awards has Grand Theft Auto VI won?
Grand Theft Auto VI has won several pre-release awards and recognition from major gaming events and publications. The exact total can change as more awards are announced before launch.
2. What awards has Grand Theft Auto VI won?
Grand Theft Auto VI has received pre-release awards and industry recognition for its anticipation, trailers, and expected impact on the gaming industry.
3. Has GTA VI won any awards before its release?
Yes. GTA VI has received multiple pre-release awards and accolades before its official launch, highlighting the enormous anticipation surrounding the game.
4. What are the GTA VI pre-release awards?
GTA VI pre-release awards include honors and recognitions given to the game before launch, particularly for its trailers, anticipation, and status as one of the most anticipated upcoming games.
5. Has Grand Theft Auto VI won Game of the Year?
GTA VI cannot be considered a traditional Game of the Year winner until it is released and becomes eligible for post-release awards. However, it has received pre-release recognition and nominations.
6. What awards did GTA 6 win before launch?
Before launch, GTA 6 has earned various pre-release accolades from gaming organizations, events, and publications. These awards recognize the game’s popularity and high level of anticipation.
7. Why has GTA VI won so many pre-release awards?
GTA VI has generated exceptional interest because it follows the hugely successful Grand Theft Auto V and is being developed by Rockstar Games. Its trailers and announcements have also attracted worldwide attention.
8. Has GTA VI won any awards for its trailer?
GTA VI’s trailer has received significant recognition and attention across the gaming industry. Some awards may specifically recognize trailers, marketing, or fan anticipation rather than the finished game.
9. What is the most important award won by GTA VI?
The importance of an award depends on the organization giving it. Major industry awards and recognitions generally carry more weight than awards based primarily on fan votes or anticipation.
10. Will GTA VI win more awards after release?
It is possible. Once GTA VI is released, it will become eligible for many additional awards based on gameplay, graphics, storytelling, performance, design, and overall quality.
Read more….
