Every December, the video game industry comes together for one of the biggest nights in gaming: The Game Awards. This year’s edition promises world premieres, jaw-dropping reveals, and celebrations of the top games of 2025 — and fans around the world are already setting their alarms.
Date and Countdown
The Game Awards 2025 goes live on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The main ceremony starts in the evening for U.S. audiences but will roll into the early hours of December 12 for many international viewers.
If you’re tracking the countdown, set your clock to tune in right when it begins — the excitement of reveals and award winners is worth every second.
Timezones — When to Watch in Your Region
To help gamers worldwide, here’s how the start time lines up across major time zones:
- Pacific Time (Los Angeles): 4:30 PM, Thu, Dec 11
- Mountain Time: 5:30 PM, Thu, Dec 11
- Central Time: 6:30 PM, Thu, Dec 11
- Eastern Time: 7:30 PM, Thu, Dec 11
- Greenwich Mean Time (UK): 12:30 AM, Fri, Dec 12
- Central European Time: 1:30 AM, Fri, Dec 12
- Japan Standard Time: 9:30 AM, Fri, Dec 12
- Australian Eastern Daylight Time: 11:30 AM, Fri, Dec 12
These global slots ensure everyone from North America to Asia can catch the spectacle live.
Where to Watch
The Game Awards 2025 streams live and free on YouTube, Twitch, X/Twitter, and for the first time via Amazon Prime Video, reaching more platforms than ever.
Categories & Nominees to Know
This year’s lineup is stacked with beloved games across dozens of categories, celebrating everything from storytelling to technical excellence. Below are some major award categories and key nominees:
Game of the Year
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Hades II
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Other Major Categories
- Best Game Direction – includes Clair Obscur, Ghost of Yōtei, Split Fiction
- Best Narrative – nominees feature Silent Hill f and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Best Art Direction & Best Score and Music – several titles like Hades II and Hollow Knight: Silksong shine here
- Best Independent Game, Best Ongoing Game, Innovation in Accessibility, and esports awards honor standout work across every corner of gaming culture.
There are more than 20 categories total, covering genre-specific awards, performance, technical design, and community engagement — making The Game Awards a truly complete snapshot of the year in games.
