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 as 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 is 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
