106 Emmy Winners Have Already Been Announced: Full 2026 Pre-Show Winners List Revealed!

The entertainment industry is abuzz as the 2026 Emmy Awards prepare for their highly anticipated main event tonight. A week prior, the Creative Arts Emmy Awards unfolded over two evenings at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, celebrating excellence in technical fields, nonfiction programming, and various unscripted genres. This precursor event culminated in the recognition of 106 winners across 100 diverse categories.

Hosted for the first time by Mariska Hargitay, the Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is set to broadcast live on NBC and Peacock, beginning at 8 pm ET. However, much of the spotlight has already been claimed by the Creative Arts Emmys, where key creative and technical contributions to television were honored.

The first night concentrated on nonfiction and unscripted productions, highlighting documentaries, reality shows, game shows, variety specials, and short-form series. Notable documentary winners included "The American Revolution" and Martin Scorsese's "Mr. Scorsese." Mariska Hargitay herself was recognized for "My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay," which earned the Emmy for Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special.

In nonfiction series, "Tucci in Italy" secured the award for Best Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special, while "The Librarians" received exceptional merit in documentary filmmaking. Reality programs were also applauded, with "Love on the Spectrum" and "Antiques Roadshow" among the winners for unstructured and structured reality categories respectively.

Game shows maintained their cultural foothold, with "Jeopardy!" taking home the award for Best Game Show, and Jimmy Kimmel winning Best Game Show Host for "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." The variety sector was dominated by the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show starring Bad Bunny, which garnered multiple accolades including Best Variety Special (Live), Choreography, Lighting Design, and Music Direction.

Short-form categories highlighted innovative storytelling, with "Colbert Before Air" and "Inside the Pitt" securing wins in comedy and nonfiction short-form series, respectively. Emerging media programs and innovation awards went to projects such as "Uncanny Alley: A New Day" and "Crafting Crimes," signaling a growing appreciation for new formats and technologies.

Technical achievements were recognized with awards in cinematography, editing, sound, makeup, and costume design across both nonfiction and scripted programming. "Ocean With David Attenborough" and "My Mom Jayne" stood out for cinematography, while productions like "Wicked: One Wonderful Night" and "The Masked Singer" received honors for costume design. The success of shows like "The Traitors" and "RuPaul’s Drag Race" underscored their continued impact in directing and production design categories.

Acting awards in guest roles and short-form performances were distributed among a diverse group of performers, including Jason Bateman and Linda Cardellini in limited series, as well as recognition for voice-over artistry in popular animated programs such as "South Park" and "The Simpsons."

The Creative Arts Emmys not only celebrate the supporting elements that enhance television storytelling but also highlight the evolving landscape of content creation, from traditional formats to cutting-edge digital experiences. As the evening advances to the Primetime ceremony, these 106 honorees set a robust foundation, underscoring the multifaceted nature of television excellence in 2026.

While the full list of Primetime Emmy winners will be revealed tonight, the achievements acknowledged during the Creative Arts segment provide a comprehensive snapshot of excellence behind the scenes and in front of the camera. This dual celebration encapsulates the depth and diversity of the television industry’s finest contributions this year.