People of Play™ has announced the Winners of 2026 TAGIE Awards.
People of Play™ (POP) has announced the winners of the 19th annual Toy & Game Innovation Excellence (TAGIE®) Awards. The ceremony took place on November 6 at Joe’s Live Concert Venue in Rosemont, IL, and recognised inventors, designers, suppliers, retailers, marketers and PR teams working across the global toy and game industry.
This year’s event was themed “The Force of Play” and served as the kick-off for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars. It was hosted by Ashley Eckstein, actress, entrepreneur, founder of Her Universe and the original voice of Star Wars character Ahsoka Tano. To mark the franchise’s anniversary in 2027, guests received commemorative coins featuring the Star Wars 50th anniversary emblem and the TAGIE Awards logo.
The programme also included a video message from Dave Filoni, President and Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm Ltd., who thanked the toy industry for its long-standing support in bringing the Star Wars galaxy to fans around the world.
Robb LaFlamme, Director of Hardlines at Disney Parks Retail and Development and Chairman of the TAGIE Awards Committee:
The TAGIE Awards are a celebration of the creativity, passion, and collaboration that make the toy and game industry so extraordinary. This year’s theme, ‘The Force of Play,’ took on a special meaning as we kicked off the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, a franchise that has sparked imaginations and inspired generations through the power of storytelling and play. It’s a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact a single idea can have, and a fitting tribute to the innovators we honored. Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners!
Winners were selected through a public vote open to both consumers and the industry.
2026 TAGIE Award winners
Honorees
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Pleasant Rowland, founder of American Girl
- Industry Game Changer Award: Elan Lee & Matthew Inman, co-founders of Exploding Kittens
Award Winners
- Toy Innovator of the Year – Ages 0–13: Alex Wilde, Cody Hampton & Jessica Kaups for Disney: Batuu Adventure Buddies, Ewok
- Toy Innovator of the Year – Ages 13+: Goliath’s Clickeez Team for Clickeez Series 3: Bubble Pops
- Game Innovator of the Year – Ages 0–13: Joe Barron, Sophia Ricciardi, David Yakos, Brady Peterson, Danielle Standring & Grant Lyon for Cross the Line
- Game Innovator of the Year – Ages 13+: The Spin Master Games Team with inventors Don Ullman & Bob Driscoll for Murder Phone, Rubik’s Rush and Jumanji Ultimate Level Electronic Board Game
- Licensed Product Innovator of the Year: KAYOU for KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards
- Young Innovator of the Year: Bryce Mikolajczak for Cell Quest
- Most Innovative Designer of the Year – Art & Visuals: Matthew Inman & the Exploding Kittens Team for Dead Therapist
- Most Innovative PR & Marketing Team of the Year: Amanda Rubinos Luna & Ali Way for Disney Lorcana: Curator’s Collection, Heroines Edition – A Disney Park & Disney Store Exclusive
- Sales Innovator of the Year: Tyler Williams & the ZB Designs Sales Team for Wigglitz
- Most Innovative Partner of the Year: Bang Zoom Design Ltd. for Peekimo, Bitzee Interactive Aquarium & PAW Patrol Megasaurus Dino Vehicle
Welcome remarks were delivered by JoAnn McLaughlin, Senior Vice President of Licensed Product Design & Development at Disney Consumer Products, and Brad Schoeneberg, Vice President of Vertical Product Design and Development at Disney Parks Retail and Development. Disney was the Presenting Sponsor, with additional sponsorship from Duracell, Kickstarter, Hasbro, Mattel, University Games, Longshore Ltd., Super Impulse, KenKen, Nextoy, The Play Makers, Backdrop.com, Brown Creative, Baby Paper and Design Edge.
