Game of the Year 2026 Odds: Can Anyone Beat GTA VI?

GTA VI is the overwhelming favourite in the 2026 Game of the Year odds, priced at odds on despite not being released until November. Can Rockstar’s long-awaited sequel live up to expectations, or could an established contender such as Resident Evil Requiem take the award instead?

We compare the latest Game of the Year betting odds, assess the leading contenders and make our prediction ahead of December’s awards. The timing of GTA VI’s release could prove particularly important, with the game due to launch just before The Game Awards’ eligibility deadline.

At Oddspedia, you can follow the latest Game of the Year odds and see how the market changes as the remaining games launch and the nominations are announced.

Game of the Year 2026 odds

The table below shows the leading contenders in the latest 2026 Game of the Year winner odds.

Odds provided by Stake via Oddspedia, accurate as of 23 October 2026. Implied probabilities are calculated from the quoted odds and include the bookmaker’s margin. Prices are subject to change.

Game of the Year 2026 odds analysis

Why GTA VI is the overwhelming favourite (1/4)

Grand Theft Auto VI dominates the Game of the Year market at 1/4, representing an implied probability of 80%. The gap to second-favourite Phantom Blade Zero at 11/1 is enormous, particularly when Rockstar’s game has yet to reach players.

There are understandable reasons for the confidence. Rockstar is returning to Vice City with a new story centred on Jason and Lucia, set across the fictional state of Leonida. The studio’s reputation for detailed open worlds and the scale of anticipation surrounding GTA VI make it one of the most closely watched releases of the year.

Rockstar has confirmed a 19 November 2026 launch for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, following previous delays, creating an interesting problem for its awards prospects. The Game Awards’ eligibility deadline is 20 November, leaving GTA VI just one day to spare if it launches as planned.

Being eligible is not the same as winning. GTA VI will still need to deliver the quality expected of it, and the late release gives critics and awards voters less time to assess the finished game. The nominations are also due to be announced in mid-November, before its scheduled launch, although The Game Awards allows publishers to provide advance review copies to voting outlets.

At 1/4, the market is pricing in an exceptional reception before the public has played the game. GTA VI could justify that confidence, but the narrow timetable and weight of expectation make its position less straightforward than the odds suggest.

Can Phantom Blade Zero challenge Rockstar? (11/1)

Phantom Blade Zero is the closest challenger in the betting at 11/1, although it is still some distance behind GTA VI. Developed by S-Game, the action RPG draws on Chinese martial arts cinema, combining fast sword combat with a dark fantasy setting.

Its 29 October release gives it more time than GTA VI to establish a reputation before nominations are decided. Hands-on previews have highlighted its combat and animation, while the involvement of Donnie Yen as creative consultant adds another connection to the martial arts films that inspired the game.

The question is whether those early impressions will translate into a complete experience capable of competing for the industry’s biggest award. As a new major console release from S-Game, Phantom Blade Zero lacks the established awards record of some rivals, but that could also work in its favour if it delivers something distinctive.

At 11/1, it offers a very different proposition from GTA VI. There is considerably more potential return, but its Game of the Year credentials will depend heavily on the reception to its launch.

Resident Evil Requiem has already made its case (12/1)

Resident Evil Requiem is available at 12/1, making it the leading alternative among the games already released. Capcom launched the ninth mainline Resident Evil game on 27 February, and it has received strong reviews throughout the year.

The game combines two contrasting styles through its protagonists, Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy. Grace’s sections emphasise tension and survival horror, while Leon brings a more action-focused approach. That balance helped Requiem earn an 89 Metascore on Metacritic, giving it an established critical record rather than relying on pre-release expectations.

Capcom confirmed in September that Resident Evil Requiem had surpassed eight million sales, reinforcing its position as one of the year’s biggest releases. Commercial success does not determine Game of the Year, but its strong reception provides a credible foundation for an awards campaign.

At 12/1, Requiem is only slightly longer than Phantom Blade Zero despite already proving itself with critics and players. Its challenge will be maintaining that recognition when the year’s biggest late releases dominate the conversation.

Control Resonant and Crimson Desert offer different challenges (17/1 and 29/1)

Control Resonant is fourth in the Game of the Year betting at 17/1. Remedy Entertainment released the sequel on 24 September, returning to its supernatural universe with Dylan Faden at the centre of a crisis affecting Manhattan.

The original Control earned recognition for its unusual setting and inventive combat, and Resonant builds on that approach with a larger action RPG experience. Remedy announced in October that the sequel had passed one million sales, making it the fastest-selling game in the company’s history. The commercial response is encouraging, although an outright award will depend more on how the game’s creative achievements compare with its rivals.

Crimson Desert is further back at 29/1. Pearl Abyss released the open-world action adventure in March, giving players a large fantasy world to explore alongside its story of Kliff and the Greymanes.

Its scale and range of activities make it a notable release, but the critical response has been less consistent than for some of the other contenders. A technically ambitious game can still attract awards attention, though Crimson Desert would need to overcome several better-fancied titles to win the overall prize.

Both have had months to build their reputations, unlike GTA VI and Phantom Blade Zero. That gives them an advantage in terms of established reception, but neither has persuaded the bookmaker to close the gap significantly.

Pragmata and the longer-priced Game of the Year contenders (34/1 and 49/1)

Pragmata is priced at 34/1 after launching in April. Capcom’s science-fiction adventure follows Hugh Williams and android companion Diana through a lunar research facility, combining shooting with hacking and puzzle mechanics.

The game was a new intellectual property for Capcom rather than another entry in an established series. Its launch was successful, with the publisher reporting more than two million sales within 16 days. The combination of an original setting and unusual gameplay gives Pragmata an argument for recognition, even if the outright market considers it an outsider.

Further down the betting, several very different games are grouped at 49/1, including Nioh 3, Pokémon Pokopia, Saros, Mewgenics and Marvel’s Wolverine. These titles appeal to different audiences and genres, making the wider field harder to assess than the headline prices suggest.

The market also includes an “Any Other” selection at 40/1. This is worth distinguishing from the individually quoted outsiders, especially as other well-reviewed 2026 releases are not separately listed. Anyone considering that option should check precisely which games the bookmaker includes before treating it as a bet on the wider field.

Game of the Year 2026 prediction

GTA VI to win Game of the Year (1/4)

GTA VI is my prediction to win Game of the Year in 2026. Rockstar’s track record, the ambition of the new Vice City setting and the anticipation surrounding its release make it difficult to look past, even with several well-reviewed games already available.

The timing is my biggest concern. A 19 November launch falls just inside The Game Awards’ eligibility window, and there is little room for another delay. GTA VI must also deliver a finished game strong enough to justify the expectations that have been building around it for years.

I would separate the prediction from the betting price, though. At 1/4, a £10 stake would return just £2.50 profit if successful, and the odds imply an 80% chance of winning. That leaves little room for uncertainty when the game has not yet launched.

Resident Evil Requiem at 12/1 is the alternative I find most interesting. It has already earned strong reviews and has a clear case for recognition, while Phantom Blade Zero at 11/1 could become a serious contender if its October release lives up to expectations.

My selection is GTA VI, but I would not call 1/4 an attractive price without seeing how it is received. The award may be Rockstar’s to lose in the betting, but the finished game still has to make its case.

How The Game Awards 2026 could affect the betting

The Game Awards takes place on 10 December 2026 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with the Game of the Year award recognising outstanding work across creative and technical disciplines.

Nominees are selected by an international jury of more than 100 media and influencer outlets. Winners are then decided through a combined vote, with the jury accounting for 90% and public voting making up the remaining 10%.

The process matters because Game of the Year is not simply a popularity contest. Large fan bases can help generate attention, but critical assessment carries considerably more weight in the final result.

This year’s eligibility deadline is particularly important for GTA VI. Games must be commercially available by 20 November 2026 at 9pm Pacific Time, just one day after Rockstar’s scheduled release. A further delay beyond that deadline could change the outlook considerably.

Stake confirms that its Game of the Year market will be settled on the winner at The Game Awards 2026. The nominations are expected in mid-November, creating another point at which the outright odds could change before the ceremony on 10 December.

Game of the Year 2026 odds in full

The table below covers all 18 selections listed in the latest Game of the Year outright market, including the “Any Other” option.

Odds provided by Stake via Oddspedia, accurate as of 23 October 2026. Implied probabilities are calculated from the quoted odds and include the bookmaker’s margin. Prices are subject to change.

Where to compare Game of the Year betting odds

You can follow the latest prices on Oddspedia’s Game of the Year odds page, which lists the current outright selections and their available bookmaker prices. The market currently shows Stake as the quoted operator.

These prices are displayed for informational purposes on Oddspedia and cannot be added directly to a betslip from the market page. Availability may depend on your location, and bookmakers can use different rules for settling novelty and entertainment markets.

Stake confirms that its market will be settled using the winner at The Game Awards 2026. Before betting, check how postponements are handled and whether the “Any Other” selection covers the game you have in mind. You can also review Oddspedia’s betting offers, although individual promotions may exclude novelty markets.

Game of the Year 2026 FAQs

Who is the favourite to win Game of the Year in 2026?

GTA VI is the clear favourite in the latest 2026 Game of the Year odds, with Phantom Blade Zero and Resident Evil Requiem its closest challengers. Rockstar’s game is scheduled for release in November, while Resident Evil Requiem has already received strong reviews following its February launch. The market could change significantly when GTA VI is released and the official nominations are announced.

When is The Game Awards 2026 ceremony?

The Game Awards 2026 takes place on Thursday 10 December at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The annual event celebrates video games across categories including Game of the Year, Best Game Direction and Best Narrative, alongside trailers and announcements. The 2026 nominees are expected to be announced in mid-November, giving audiences several weeks to consider the shortlisted games before the ceremony.

Is GTA VI eligible for Game of the Year in 2026?

GTA VI is scheduled to launch on 19 November 2026, one day before The Game Awards’ eligibility deadline. The official rules require games to be commercially available by 20 November at 9pm Pacific Time, so Rockstar’s current release date falls within the window. However, another delay beyond the cutoff could affect its eligibility, making the launch timetable particularly important for the betting market.

How is the Game of the Year winner decided?

At The Game Awards, nominees are selected through ballots submitted by an international jury of more than 100 media and influencer outlets. The winner is determined through a combined vote, with the jury responsible for 90% of the result and public voting accounting for 10%. That means popularity can contribute, but critical assessment carries the greatest weight in deciding the award.

Who won Game of the Year in 2025?

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025, beating five other nominated titles. The shortlist also included Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. Its victory showed that a new intellectual property can win the industry’s highest-profile award against established franchises and major publishers.

How do Game of the Year betting odds work?

Game of the Year odds are an outright market predicting which title will receive the award specified by the bookmaker. Shorter prices indicate a higher implied probability, but they do not guarantee a win or necessarily represent good betting value. Always check the bookmaker’s settlement rules before betting, as different Game of the Year awards exist and Stake specifically uses the winner at The Game Awards 2026.

Where can I find the latest Game of the Year odds?

Oddspedia’s Game of the Year market lists the available contenders and bookmaker prices, allowing readers to follow the outright betting ahead of the awards. Prices can change following game releases, critical reviews and nomination announcements, particularly when heavily backed titles have yet to launch. The displayed odds are informational, so check the operator’s market availability, settlement rules and eligibility conditions before placing any bet.