The Streamer Awards 2026: Nominations, Dates and Categories
The premier annual awards show celebrating excellence in streaming and content creation across all platforms.
2026 Key Dates
| Applications open | August 31, 2026 | 12:00 PM PT |
| Public nominations open | September 12, 2026 | 12:00 PM PT |
| Applications & nominations close | October 2, 2026 | 11:59 PM PT |
| Voting opens | October 16, 2026 | 12:00 PM PT |
| Voting closes | October 31, 2026 | 11:59 PM PT |
| The show | November 12, 2026 | 3:00 PM PT |
Eligibility window: content from November 8, 2025 to October 1, 2026. Dates per thestreamerawards.com. Full breakdown and all 36 categories.
How to Nominate Someone (Open Now)
Public nominations opened September 12, 2026 and close October 2 at 11:59 PM PT. Nominating is free, takes a couple of minutes, and is separate from applying — creators apply for themselves, anyone can nominate someone else.
- 1Open the nomination page. Go to thestreamerawards.com/nominate. It is the official site and the only place nominations are counted.
- 2Sign in. Nominations require an account — you sign in with a platform identity. Anonymous submissions are not accepted.
- 3Pick a category, then a creator. Each category takes one nomination from you. You do not have to fill in all of them; a partial ballot still counts.
- 4Check they are eligible first. A creator who misses the hour thresholds below will not make the shortlist no matter how many nominations they get.
- 5Submit before the deadline. Selections can be changed up to October 2. After that the panel builds the shortlist, and public voting opens October 16.
Eligibility criteria, as published by the organisers
- At least 200 hours streamed in total to be considered for any category.
- At least 100 hours in content relevant to that specific category — a game award needs 100 hours of that game.
- Only hours inside the eligibility window count: November 8, 2025 – October 1, 2026.
About The Streamer Awards
Founded and hosted by QTCinderella, The Streamer Awards is the most prestigious awards show in the streaming industry. The event brings together the biggest names in content creation to celebrate excellence across multiple categories including gaming, entertainment, and community impact.
The awards feature both fan-voted categories and jury-selected winners, ensuring a balance between community choice and industry recognition. With millions of votes cast each year, The Streamer Awards has become a landmark event in the streaming calendar.
The show features live performances, special guests, and memorable moments that celebrate the creativity and dedication of content creators worldwide. Past winners include some of the biggest names in streaming across Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms.
Award Categories
Streamer of the Year
Gamer of the Year
Best Just Chatting Streamer
Best Variety Streamer
Best Breakout Streamer
Rising Star Award
Best International Streamer
Best VTuber
Best Streamed Event
Best Marathon Stream
Best Streamed Collab
Best Content Organization
Stream Game of the Year
League of Their Own
Best Battle Royale Streamer
Best Fighting Games Streamer
Best FPS Streamer
Best MOBA Streamer
Best Role-Play Streamer
Best Speedrun Streamer
Best Sports Streamer
Best Strategy Game Streamer
Best Fortnite Streamer
Best Creative Arts Streamer
Hidden Gem Award
Get Off Your A** Award (Best IRL Streamer)
The Sapphire Award
Legacy Award
Streamers' Choice Award
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I nominate someone for The Streamer Awards 2026?
Go to thestreamerawards.com/nominate and sign in — nominations require an account. You get one nomination per category and can fill in as many or as few categories as you like, changing your picks until the window closes. Public nominations opened September 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM PT and close October 2 at 11:59 PM PT. Nominating someone else is separate from a creator applying for themselves.
When do Streamer Awards 2026 nominations close?
October 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT — the same deadline as creator applications. After that a panel builds the shortlist from the nominations, public voting runs October 16 to October 31, and the show is on November 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM PT.
Who is eligible to be nominated?
A creator needs at least 200 hours streamed in total to be considered for any category, and at least 100 hours of content relevant to the specific category — so a game award requires 100 hours of that game. Only hours inside the eligibility window count, which runs from November 8, 2025 to October 1, 2026. A creator who misses those thresholds will not reach the shortlist regardless of how many nominations they receive.
Who created The Streamer Awards?
The Streamer Awards was created and is organized by Twitch streamer Blaire "QTCinderella." She serves as the host and main producer of the show, making it an event truly by streamers, for streamers.
How are The Streamer Awards winners chosen?
Winners at The Streamer Awards are determined entirely by public voting. After a panel selects the official nominees for each category, the polls open online, allowing fans and viewers to vote for their favorite streamers. The final results are based 100% on these fan votes, making it a community-driven awards show.
Who has won the "Streamer of the Year" award?
The "Streamer of the Year" award has been won by some of the biggest names on the planet. Past winners: 2022 — Ludwig Ahgren, 2023 — Kai Cenat, 2024 — Kai Cenat, 2025 — IShowSpeed.