The Esports Awards has selected Miami, Florida, as the host city for its 2026 ceremony this November, marking the flagship event’s debut in the city following its 2025 edition in Las Vegas.

Organised in partnership with the Esports World Cup (EWC, by the Esports Foundation) and Oakley, the annual awards presentation has also unveiled its first wave of finalists, highlighting top-tier talent, titles, and key commercial players across the global esports industry.

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The event will gather international executives, creators, and competitive organisations in Miami, supported by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. The initial wave of nominations includes B2B and institutional categories recognising enterprise performance across commercial partnerships, tournament operations, agency services, and content ecosystems:

  • Esports Commercial Partner of the Year: Blacklyte, Chipotle, Coinbase, Intel, iQOO, Logitech G, Monster Energy, Pulsar, Razer, Red Bull, Sony INZONE

  • Esports Tournament Organiser of the Year: Activision Blizzard, BLAST, EFG (ESL FACEIT Group), Esports Foundation, EVO, Hero Esports, MOONTON Games, Riot Games, TiMi Studio Group

  • Esports Supporting Service of the Year: Character Select Agency, ESG Law, Esports Charts, FACEIT, GRID Esports, JAM Management, Liquipedia, Odin Law and Media, Prodigy Agency, Shikenso Analytics, The Story Mob

  • Esports Content Group of the Year: 100 Thieves, G2 Esports, Gentle Mates, GodLike Esports, Karmine Corp, NRG, OpTic Gaming, Rocket Baguette, S8UL Esports, T1, Team Spirit, Team Vitality

 

Public voting is open through November 10th. To drive fan participation prior to the live broadcast in Miami, the organisers will run a “Turbo Week” initiative from November 3rd to November 10th, during which cast votes carry double weight toward the final results.

Esports Leaders, the executive gathering at the 5-star Hôtel du Collectionneur will bring together senior decision-makers in and around esports and gaming during the closing days of the Esports World Cup. Find more details at this link.

“The Esports Awards remains dedicated to highlighting the remarkable achievements in gaming and esports,” said Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards. “After a fantastic 2025 edition in Las Vegas, we are thrilled to be bringing our flagship ceremony to sunny Miami for the first time, the ultimate stage for a world-class celebration combining luxury, culture, and unrivalled entertainment.”

David Whitaker, President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, added: “The esports community embodies innovation, creativity and passion – qualities that reflect the spirit of our destination. We look forward to welcoming competitors, creators, industry leaders and fans from around the world for what promises to be an unforgettable celebration.”

Ahead of the host city announcement, GameSquare Holdings entered into a partnership with MEGA Advanced Ltd., the parent company and operator of the Esports Awards. Under the agreement, GameSquare will handle commercial sales across the events, leading sponsorship procurement and brand partnerships for the awards properties.

Additionally, the Esports Awards is collaborating with The Esports Radar to deliver another key industry gathering in 2026: Esports Leaders, The Esports Radar’s signature executive networking event, will take place in central Paris on Friday, 21st August, bringing together senior executives and decision-makers from across the global gaming and esports ecosystem. Find more details at this link.

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