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| CGA Executive Producer Carl-Edwin Michel on stage at the Canadian Game Awards. |
By Jon Scarr
It’s time to celebrate the home-grown creators that make the Canadian game industry a global powerhouse. The Canadian Game Awards (CGA) announced the official nominees for its 6th annual show, and it’s a list that shows exactly why Canada's a leader in the global industry. From massive AAA studios to the smallest indie teams, the 2026 lineup's a celebration of the creativity we’re seeing across the country.
The winners will be crowned live on May 21, 2026, at Toronto’s John Bassett Theatre. This year’s ceremony aims to be the most ambitious yet, bringing together the country’s top developers and fans for a night of celebration. General Admission and VIP tickets are on sale now, so you’ll want to move fast if you want a seat at the gala.
The official trailer featuring the 2026 Canadian Game Awards nominees.
Victor Lucas Receives Game Changer Award
One of the most exciting parts of this year’s reveal is that Victor Lucas will receive the Game Changer Award. If you've been following the industry for any length of time, you know Lucas's impact. As a pioneer of Canadian gaming journalism and the creator of The Electric Playground, he’s spent decades championing the industry. Since the 1990s, he’s been the voice that bridged the gap between the people making the games and the fans playing them.
This award recognizes his unparalleled contribution to gaming culture. Lucas's role in putting Canadian developers on the world stage's been vital to the growth of the scene here. Beyond his work on television with Reviews on the Run, he continues to host his own awards show that’s become a staple of the Canadian landscape. We recently took a deep look at the Rocket & Raygun Awards 2025 winners, where he continues his tradition of spotlighting the best in the business. It’s a well-deserved nod for a pioneer who’s helped define what it means to cover games with passion and integrity.
Fan Choice Awards and ESAC Partnership
Gamers also have a direct say in who takes home a trophy this year. The CGAs have partnered with the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) for the Fan Choice Awards. Voting is officially open, and it’s a chance for fans to back the games that moved them most over the last year. You can head over to the ESAC website right now to cast your vote.
Canada’s home to some of the most passionate gamers in the world, and this partnership gives the community a direct voice in the celebration. It isn't just about the big hits; it’s about the games that resonated with you personally, regardless of the studio size. Whether it's an indie gem or a blockbuster, every vote counts toward showing the world what Canadians are playing.
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| The 2026 Canadian Game Awards gala's taking place at Toronto’s John Bassett Theatre on May 21. |
The Canadian Game Awards 2026 Celebrates the Best in Local Development
The Canadian Game Awards has become the premier national program for our industry. Now in its 6th year, the show continues to spotlight the technical and artistic routines that make Canadian games world-class. Whether it’s a solo project from a remote province or a massive project from a Montreal hub, the CGAs ensure that the hard work of these developers doesn't go unnoticed.
We’ll be following the results closely as we get closer to the May 21st gala. This event’s the perfect reminder of the creators we have right in our own backyard. Make sure you check out the full list of nominees and cast your vote for the Fan Choice Awards to help decide who’ll be celebrated on stage this year.
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