People of Play, a division of The Toy Association, unveiled the winners of the 2026 Toy & Game Innovation Excellence Awards (TAGIEs) at a ceremony prior to the start of the Chicago Toy & Game Fair on November 6, 2026.
The award ceremony had a Star Wars theme to it, as it was hosted by Ashley Eckstein (the voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars), and Dave Filoni (see “Lucasfilm Promotes Filoni“) delivered a special video message to attendees during the show. The winners of the TAGIEs were determined by votes from both consumers and industry members. Here are the list of winners:
- Lifetime Achievement Award. Pleasant Rowland, founder of American Girl.
- Industry Game Changer Award. Elan Lee & Matthew Inman, co-founders of Exploding Kittens.
- 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, and PAW Patrol Megasaurus Dino Vehicle.
For last year’s TAGIE winners and TOTY nominees, see ” Game, Toy Awards, Nominees.”
Source: ICv2
