At the 19th Annual Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards in Rosemont, Illinois, hosted by Ashley Eckstein, Disney’s Interactive Ewok Batuu Adventure Buddy won the Toy Innovator of the Year award for Alex Wilde, Cody Hampton & Jessica Kaups.
This year’s ceremony, themed “The Force of Play,” also kicked off celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars in 2027. Hosted by Ashley Eckstein, the original voice of Ahsoka Tano, the event featured a special video message from Lucasfilm President and Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni. Attendees also received commemorative coins featuring the Star Wars 50th anniversary emblem and the TAGIE Awards logo.
Pleasant Rowland, Founder of American Girl, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Elan Lee and Matthew Inman, co-founders of Exploding Kittens, were recognized with the Industry Game Changer Award.
“The TAGIE Awards are a celebration of the creativity, passion, and collaboration that make the toy and game industry so extraordinary,” said Robb LaFlamme, Director of Hardlines at Disney Parks Retail and Development and Chairman of the TAGIE Awards Committee. “This year’s theme, ‘The Force of Play,’ took on a special meaning as we kicked off the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, a franchise that has sparked imaginations and inspired generations through the power of storytelling and play. It’s a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact a single idea can have, and a fitting tribute to the innovators we honored. Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners!”
The 2026 TAGIE Award winners include:
• Toy Innovator of the Year — Ages 0-13: Alex Wilde, Cody Hampton, and 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, and Grant Lyon for Cross the Line
• Game Innovator of the Year — Ages 13+: Spin Master Games Team, with inventors Don Ullman and 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 and the Exploding Kittens Team for Dead Therapist
• Most Innovative PR & Marketing Team of the Year: Amanda Rubinos Luna and Ali Way for Disney Lorcana: Curator’s Collection, Heroines Edition — A Disney Park & Disney Store Exclusive
• Sales Innovator of the Year: Tyler Williams and the ZB Designs Sales Team for Wigglitz
• Most Innovative Partner of the Year: Bang Zoom Design for Peekimo, Bitzee Interactive Aquarium, and PAW Patrol Megasaurus Dino Vehicle
Winners were determined through public voting by consumers and industry members. The 2026 awards were sponsored by Disney, Duracell, Kickstarter, Hasbro, Mattel, University Games, Longshore Ltd., Super Impulse, KenKen, Nextoy, The Play Makers, Backdrop.com, Brown Creative, Baby Paper, and Design Edge.
Congratulations to all winners.
Image: James Zahn/The Toy Book
