2027 XMA Awards Pre-Nominations Are Open: What to Know
The 2027 XMA Awards season is officially getting underway.
Organizers have opened the pre-nomination period for the upcoming awards, beginning the process of selecting performers, creators, productions and companies that could eventually appear among the official nominees.
The main pre-nomination period runs from September 1 through September 30, 2026, while the 2027 XMA ceremony is scheduled for January 10, 2027. XBIZ
Caption: The 2027 XMA Awards season begins as the pre-nomination process gets underway.
What Are the XMA Awards?
The XMA Awards are an annual industry event covering multiple areas of adult entertainment.
For 2027, announced categories span movies and production, creators, digital media, and pleasure and retail sectors. The organizers have also updated categories as the industry continues to change. XBIZ
The January ceremony will mark the culmination of several months of submissions, nominee selection and voting.
2027 XMA Awards Timeline
Here are the important dates currently listed by the official XMA schedule:
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Pre-Nomination Submissions | September 1–30, 2026 |
| Nominee Selection | September 1–November 19, 2026 |
| Official Nominees Announced | November 20, 2026 |
| Voting Period | November 2026–January 2027 |
| Winners Announced | January 10, 2027 |
The schedule gives the selection process several weeks after submissions close before the official nominee list is revealed. XMAs – Adult Industry’s Biggest Night®
Caption: Awards season will continue through nominee selection and voting before the January 2027 ceremony.
Fan Favorite Pre-Nominations Are Also Underway
There is another important date for fans and creators to know.
Pre-nominations for the 2027 XMA Fan Favorite categories opened on September 15 and remain open until October 15, 2026.
The announced Fan Favorite categories include areas recognizing female, male and trans stars, as well as cosplay, fetish and other performer categories. XBIZ
This schedule is separate from the main XMA pre-nomination deadline of September 30.
Why the Pre-Nomination Period Matters
Pre-nominations represent an early stage of the awards process rather than the final nominee list.
Once this stage is completed, attention will turn toward the selection process and the announcement of official nominees on November 20.
For fans following the industry, that means the next few months should bring a steady stream of nominee announcements, voting updates and other awards-related news.
A Broader Look at the 2027 Awards Season
The XMA Awards are more than a single-night ceremony. The months leading up to the event create an extended awards season involving performers, creators, studios, producers and other professionals working across the adult entertainment business.
During this period, attention gradually moves from pre-nominations to the official nominee announcement and eventually to voting. For audiences who follow individual performers or productions, these stages can provide an opportunity to discover new names and see which projects have attracted attention during the previous year.
The 2027 awards cycle also reflects how the industry continues to evolve. Independent creators and digital platforms now play a significant role alongside traditional studios and established production companies. As a result, modern industry awards increasingly cover a wider range of professional and creator-focused categories.
What Fans Can Expect in the Coming Months
The November nominee announcement will be one of the next major moments to watch.
Once the official nominees are revealed, discussion will naturally shift toward the performers, creators and productions represented across the different categories. Voting will then continue as the January ceremony approaches.
There may also be additional announcements surrounding appearances, special presentations and other event details as organizers finalize plans for the ceremony.
For Adult Star Update readers, we will focus on the most relevant publicly announced developments rather than every minor update. This includes major nominee announcements, notable industry news and results from the ceremony.
Following the 2027 XMA Awards
With pre-nominations already underway, the 2027 XMA Awards season is still in its early stages.
The September deadlines are only the beginning. November will bring the official nominee list, followed by voting and the final countdown toward the January 10 ceremony.
Whether following a favorite performer, keeping up with new productions or simply watching developments across the international adult entertainment industry, the coming months should provide plenty of updates.
Adult Star Update will continue to follow the 2027 XMA Awards as new information becomes publicly available.
What Happens Next?
The first major deadline is September 30, when the main pre-nomination submission period closes.
The nominee selection process then continues until November 19, followed by the official nominee announcement on November 20. Voting will continue through the months leading up to the January ceremony. XMAs – Adult Industry’s Biggest Night®
The 2027 XMAs are scheduled for January 10, 2027, alongside the XBIZ 2027 event series in Los Angeles. XBIZ
Adult Star Update will continue covering major publicly announced developments as the 2027 XMA Awards season progresses.
Adult Star Update provides entertainment and industry news intended for audiences aged 18 and over.