GQ is significantly expanding its annual Men of the Year program in Los Angeles with a new three event format that marks the most ambitious rollout in the franchise's history. The Condé Nast publication will hold separate celebrations this month to honor its 2026 honorees, a strategic shift designed to provide more space for recognizing creative achievements and emerging talent. This expansion represents a notable departure from previous years, as the magazine aims to match the high caliber of its recipients with a more extensive series of gatherings.
The initiative is being led by Adam Baidawi, the global editorial director who assumed his role in February 2026. Baidawi took over after longtime editor Will Welch left for a position in Paris working with Pharrell Williams. Under Baidawi's leadership, the magazine has curated a lineup of high profile co hosts to anchor the 31st installment of the series. Chris Rock, Andrew Garfield, and Matt Damon have been drafted to serve in this capacity, corresponding to their respective roles in the films Misty Green, Artificial, and The Odyssey.
In addition to the cover stars, the celebration will recognize other significant contributors to the year's cultural landscape. Denis Villeneuve will be honored as GQ's director of the year for his work on Dune: Part Three, while designer Michael Rider of Celine will receive the title of designer of the year. These honorees will join the co hosts in a series of events that span the breadth of entertainment, fashion, and the arts.
The schedule begins on November 10 at the recently opened Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. The opening event will feature a champagne reception for Villeneuve, followed by a live recording of GQ's One More Question interview series. Senior special projects editor Zach Baron will front the interview segment. The evening will conclude with a VIP screening of Dune: Part Two, providing attendees with an early look at the film ahead of the franchise's final release on December 18.
The following day, November 11, will see a Breakouts house party hosted at the Sheats-Goldstein Residence. This gathering is dedicated to the magazine's 13 Breakouts of 2026, a roster of rising names across film, television, music, comedy, and podcasting. The full list of these emerging talents is scheduled to be published on GQ.com on November 9, offering readers a preview of the individuals who will be toasted at the residence.
The final and most anticipated event will take place on November 12 at the Chateau Marmont. The night will commence with an intimate dinner honoring the cover stars. This dinner will feature filmed toasts from special guests who will pay tribute to their peers. After dessert, the event will transition into the annual Men of the Year party, which is expected to draw a large crowd of VIPs from the entertainment, fashion, sports, and culture industries.
Adam Baidawi emphasized the intent behind the expanded format in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. He noted that this year's honorees delivered extraordinary performances that propelled the cultural conversation of 2026. Baidawi stated that the magazine wanted to meet that creative ambition with its own innovative approach. He described the expansion to three events as a brand new chapter for Men of the Year, providing the necessary space to celebrate the work, explore the ideas behind it, and introduce the next wave of talent to the public.
