The Game Awards, the video game industry’s annual year-end celebration, set a new viewership record during its Dec. 11, 2025 broadcast, drawing an estimated 171 million global livestreams of the full show. The figure marks an 11% increase over 2024’s previous high of 154 million livestreams. Viewership from Prime Video was not included in the 2025 total.

The 2025 broadcast streamed across a wide range of platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, Steam, TikTok Live, X, Kick, Facebook and Instagram Live, alongside extensive distribution in China and on JioHotstar in India. According to StreamCharts, Twitch, YouTube and other Western platforms combined for 4.4 million peak concurrent viewers, up 9% year over year.

YouTube saw continued growth, with the 4K feed reaching nearly 1.4 million peak concurrent viewers, an 8% increase from 2024. Including co-streams, the platform recorded more than 2.4 million peak concurrent viewers overall, up 9%. More than 8,600 channels co-streamed the show on YouTube, the highest total to date.

On Twitch, the broadcast reached more than 1.8 million peak concurrent viewers, with total unique viewers and hours watched both increasing 5% compared to last year. Co-streaming activity expanded significantly, with a record 16,500 creators sharing the show, up 50% from 2024.

Global reach expands as awards and reveals take center stage

Engagement on X increased as well, with posts related to The Game Awards up 12% year over year to more than 1.79 million between Dec. 10 and 12. Video content tied to the event generated more than 60 million views on the platform. Authenticated viewer voting surpassed 123 million votes, an increase of more than 10%, including participation in the Players’ Voice award.

International distribution reached new highs, with live broadcasts across numerous platforms in China, as well as CHZZK and SOOP in South Korea and NicoNico in Japan.

At the ceremony, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive was named 2025 Game of the Year, also winning awards for game direction, narrative, art direction, score and music, performance, best independent game, best debut indie game and best role-playing game.

The show featured a live musical performance by Evanescence, performing “Afterlife” from Netflix’s animated Devil May Cry series. Numerous figures from the video game and entertainment industries appeared onstage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, where the event was produced live.

The Game Awards is executive produced by Geoff Keighley and Kimmie Kim, with Richard Preuss directing and LeRoy Bennett serving as creative director.