Spiel des Jahres: every winner from 1979 to 2026

Created in 1978 in Germany, the Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) is unanimously seen as the most prestigious and influential award in the world. Unlike a popular vote, it is awarded by a fully independent, volunteer jury made up exclusively of German-speaking game critics. Their goal is not to reward the most complex game, but to elect titles that champion games as a family cultural good, judged on elegance of rules, mechanical innovation and production quality. Nominations are announced in May, and the award ceremony (the famous "Red Pawn") traditionally takes place in Berlin in mid-July.

• Games as a family cultural good, not the most complex game
• Elegance of the rules and clarity of how they are written
• Mechanical innovation and production quality

The jury

Made up exclusively of German-speaking game critics, fully independent from publishers and unpaid. It is never a popular vote.

The calendar

Nominations in May, the "Red Pawn" handed over in Berlin in mid-July.