What is the Sapphire Award Streamer Awards fans keep asking about? It is the prize that honors female and marginalized gender streamers at The Streamer Awards, and the 2026 race is now set. QTCinderella revealed the nominees on October 16, 2026. Cinna, Vanilla Mace, Yonna, Maya Higa and Christinaandamber are competing, and voting runs through October 31. The winner will be revealed at the ceremony on November 12, 2026.
This guide explains what the award means, who has won it, and what to watch before the votes close.
What the Sapphire Award Means
The Sapphire Award is one of the headline honors at The Streamer Awards, the annual show built around live streaming. It recognizes streamers who identify as female or a marginalized gender. The official description frames it as a prize for creators who succeed against the odds in an industry dominated by men.
The 2025 wording added another layer. It asks for a streamer who entertained at the highest level all year. So the award rewards impact and quality, not one viral moment.
The category is also fairly new. It debuted with the 2023 edition of the show, held on February 17, 2024. Valkyrae won the first trophy.
Why It Is Called the Sapphire Award
The name comes from the gemstone. Sapphires form rarely in the Earth’s crust, and the award borrows that idea of rarity. The symbolism is easy to follow. Women and marginalized gender creators who reach the top of streaming stand out because few people get there.
Winners at the show receive a trophy that depicts a Peepo, a variation of Pepe the Frog. That playful design has become part of the ceremony’s identity.
How Voting and Winner Selection Work
Fans shape the Sapphire Award from the first step. Viewers nominate creators through the official Streamer Awards website. Organizers then reveal the final nominees and open a public vote.
Winners come from a weighted blend of the public vote and a panel vote. The public vote carries more weight. A few special honors, such as the Legacy Award and the Streamers’ Choice Award, use different voting groups.
Eligibility matters as well. For the 2026 show, the eligibility window runs from November 8, 2025 to October 1, 2026. That stretch defines the year of streaming voters should judge.
Every Sapphire Award Winner So Far
Three ceremonies have handed out the award, and two streamers hold the trophies.
| Edition | Ceremony Date | Winner | Other Nominees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | February 17, 2024 | Valkyrae | Emiru, ExtraEmily, fanfan, LydiaViolet |
| 2024 | December 7, 2024 | Cinna | ironmouse, MissMikkaa, ExtraEmily, Valkyrae |
| 2025 | December 6, 2025 | Cinna | Emiru, ExtraEmily, Vanillamace, WendolynOrtizz |
Valkyrae Wins the First Sapphire Award
Valkyrae claimed the inaugural trophy at the February 2024 ceremony. QTCinderella and Pokimane hosted that show. It peaked at 645,166 live viewers.
Cinna Takes Back-to-Back Wins
Cinna won the Sapphire Award at the December 7, 2024 ceremony. She topped a field that included ironmouse, MissMikkaa, ExtraEmily and Valkyrae.
She repeated the win on December 6, 2025, beating Emiru, ExtraEmily, Vanillamace and WendolynOrtizz. QTCinderella and Maya Higa hosted that night at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Cinna now owns two Sapphire Awards, and no other streamer has more than one.
Sapphire Award 2026 Nominees
QTCinderella announced the nominees during her livestream on October 16, 2026. Five streamers made the final list:
- Cinna: The two-time defending winner is chasing a third straight trophy. She is the only nominee who already owns a Sapphire Award.
- Vanilla Mace: She returns after earning a Sapphire nomination in 2025.
- Yonna: She did not appear on any of the three previous Sapphire ballots, so this nomination is a first.
- Maya Higa: She co-hosted the 2025 ceremony alongside QTCinderella. This is her first appearance on a Sapphire ballot.
- Christinaandamber: The duo of Christina Ottrando and Amber Lawes earned a Best IRL Streamer nomination in 2025. Now they join the Sapphire race.
The field mixes a proven winner with several fresh names. That balance makes the 2026 vote harder to predict than last year’s.
Key Dates Before the Ceremony
Fans have a short window to vote, so the calendar matters. Here are the confirmed dates for The Streamer Awards 2026.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Creator applications | August 31 to October 2, 2026 |
| Viewer nominations | September 12 to October 2, 2026 |
| Eligibility window | November 8, 2025 to October 1, 2026 |
| Nominees revealed | October 16, 2026 |
| Public voting | October 16 to October 31, 2026 |
| Ceremony | November 12, 2026 |
Listings show the venue as still to be announced. The ceremony will stream live, and the show has aired on Twitch since 2022 and on YouTube since 2024. Check the official Streamer Awards channels for the start time and viewing details.
The Show Behind the Award
QTCinderella founded The Streamer Awards to celebrate streamers, mainly in the Twitch community. The first ceremony took place on March 12, 2022, at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. It peaked at 381,436 viewers.
Growth since then has been steep. The December 2024 show reached 525,708 peak viewers. The December 2025 show passed one million, hitting 1,028,321. That jump means the 2026 Sapphire Award winner will likely take the stage in front of the biggest audience the category has seen.
The show follows a clear format. A red carpet segment features interviews with nominees and internet personalities. The main broadcast then reveals winners between live musical performances.
Why the Sapphire Award Matters
Streaming leaderboards often reward raw hours, subscriber counts and viral clips. The Sapphire Award adds a different lens. It lets the community celebrate creators who build audiences in a space where most of the biggest names are men.
The stage helps too. A ceremony that peaked above one million live viewers gives each winner major exposure. The winners list is also short, with only two names so far.
For fans, the award doubles as a conversation starter. Each year’s ballot sparks debate about who deserves the spotlight. The 2026 field gives viewers plenty to argue over.
Quick Answers About the Sapphire Award
So, what is the Sapphire Award Streamer Awards all about in one line? It is the annual honor for the top female or marginalized gender streamer, chosen by fans and a panel.
Who won the first Sapphire Award? Valkyrae won it at the ceremony held on February 17, 2024.
Who won the most recent Sapphire Award? Cinna won it on December 6, 2025, her second straight win.
Who is nominated in 2026? Cinna, Vanilla Mace, Yonna, Maya Higa and Christinaandamber.
When does voting end? Public voting closes on October 31, 2026.
When is the ceremony? The Streamer Awards 2026 takes place on November 12, 2026.
Who hosts the show? QTCinderella founded the event and hosts it. Her 2026 co-host and the venue have not been confirmed in the listings available today.
Which Streamer Will Take Home the 2026 Sapphire Award? Drop your pick in the comments and keep checking back for the winner on November 12.