Long-running expert-level eurogame award Diamant d’Or reveals its eight finalists for 2026 prize

The Diamant d’Or, a prize launched more than a decade ago to champion complex eurogames the organisers felt were being overlooked by more mainstream board game awards, has unveiled its eight finalists for 2026.

Space vacations-focused strategy game Galactic Cruise, which has picked up heavy interest from players since its 2024 Kickstarter campaign, is in the running for this year’s award, alongside titles including Luthier from Paverson Games and Sweet Lands from Japanese publisher Uchibacoya.

The other nominees include Recall – the new engine building and exploration game from the designers of 2023 Diamant d’Or nominee Revive – dice manipulation game Ada’s Dream and Ants, an ant colony expansion title from frequent award finalist Cranio Creations.

Keyside, the latest design from Keyflower creator Richard Breese, is also in contention for the 2026 award, as is Faris Suhaimi’s space orchestra-focused worker placement title Philarmonix.

The French award focuses on new, expert-level eurogame releases from the previous 12 months which have a high replayability, especially those “whose format does not always allow them to apply for one of the many other current awards”.

Most of this year’s crop of nominees are up for the award for the first time, while both Philarmonix and Ants represent first-time designs from, respectively, Suhaimi and Renato Ciervo (alongside co-designer Andrea Robbiani).

Space exploration eurogame SETI triumphed in last year’s Diamant d’Or, kicking off a stellar run of major award wins which has since included the Deutscher Spiele Preis – the biggest community-voted board game award in Germany – Dice Tower Awards for game of the year, best strategy game and best new designer, and the Golden Geek heavy game of the year and thematic game awards.

Stefen Feld design Civolution finished in second place in the 2025 Diamant d’Or contest, with Vital Lacerda’s Inventions: Evolution of Ideas finishing in third spot.

The Diamant d’Or jury of board game players whittles down the final eight from about 50 entries each year. The 2026 winner is expected to be announced on February 8.

Last year the Diamant d’Or jury announced the winner of its first super Diamant d’Or award, which pitted all of the prize’s previous winners against one another.

Underwater Cities triumphed in that award, with Ark Nova finishing second and Gaia Project third.

The 2026 Diamant d’Or nominees

Ada’s Dream, designed by Toni López (Published by Alley Cat Games)

Ants, by Renato Ciervo and Andrea Robbiani (Cranio Creations)

Galactic Cruise, by TK King, Dennis Northcott and Koltin Thompson (Kinson Key Games)

Keyside, by Richard Breese and David Turczi (HUCH!, R&D Games)

Luthier, by Dave Beck and Abe Burson (Paverson Games)

Philarmonix, by Faris Suhaimi (Archona Games)

Recall, by Helge Meissner, Kristian Amundsen Østby, Kjetil Svendsen and Anna Wermlund (Alion – by Dr Ø)

Sweet Lands, by Totsuca Chuo (Uchibacoya)