The Sports/Racing category at The Game Awards has rarely been a source of suspense. Its shortlist is usually predictable, and the eventual winner has tended to follow an established pattern. The 2026 contest, however, could be different.
The category’s familiar pattern
Racing games have won nine of the past 12 awards. The exceptions were Rocket League, helped by its enormous viral reach; Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2, a remaster of two much-loved classics; and EA Sports FC 25, which prevailed during a notably weak year for racing releases.
Forza has been the dominant name within that group. Gran Turismo and Crash Team Racing have one win apiece, while Mario Kart has two. The remaining five victories belong to Forza: three for Forza Horizon games and two for Forza Motorsport entries. The series has not lost since 2015, when Forza Motorsport 6 was beaten by Rocket League.
The annual nominations are similarly easy to anticipate. EA’s football series, first known as FIFA and now branded EA Sports FC, has appeared every year. Codemasters’ F1 franchise has received seven consecutive nominations, while 2K’s NBA series has made eight of the 12 possible shortlists.
Why the 2026 shortlist looks familiar
The category also favours sports with broad international recognition. Madden and NHL have never been nominated, and EA’s recent College Football revival has not made the list. MLB The Show and WWE have each received one nomination. Tennis and skateboarding have managed a few appearances, while Konami’s eFootball and Pro Evolution Soccer series has somehow collected five.
On that basis, the predicted 2026 nominees are:
- Forza Horizon 6
- Star Wars: Galactic Racer
- EA Sports FC 27
- NBA 2K27
- Mario Tennis Fever
Forza Horizon 6 would normally look like an obvious winner. It has the franchise history, substantial popularity and a 90 Metacritic score, placing it among the best-reviewed games of 2026.
Yet Star Wars: Galactic Racer is close behind with a Metascore of 88, and it offers a more disruptive proposition. Its roguelike structure, buildcrafting systems and unusual multiplayer design give it a stronger innovation narrative than a polished but familiar sequel.
Could Galactic Racer cause an upset?
Galactic Racer is not as widely played as Forza Horizon 6, but its Star Wars licence may have helped it reach jury members who do not regularly choose racing games. It also draws on arcade-racing traditions associated with Burnout and Wipeout, two series with a strong following among critics.
That combination matters. Award voters often respond to games that attempt something new within an established genre, particularly when the result can be discussed as a creative step forward rather than simply another excellent entry in a reliable series.
For Australian players considering a dedicated racing simulator, this year’s debate is a useful reminder that driving games can offer very different experiences: from authentic competition to inventive arcade-style design.
A healthier result for racing games
A win for Star Wars: Galactic Racer would not be an implausible upset. Forza has not faced such a credible challenger for this award in roughly a decade, and the contest could be decided by originality rather than brand strength.
Whatever the result, a close race is good news for the genre. A category long dominated by safe predictions is finally highlighting a creative alternative, giving racing games more room to evolve.
For more arcade and gaming coverage, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog, or explore the arcade video collection for more racing and machine-focused content.
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