GQ splits Men of the Year gala into three Los Angeles nights

GQ is restructuring its annual Men of the Year program in Los Angeles for the first time by splitting the celebration into three distinct events. This multi-night format marks the largest rollout in the history of the franchise. The magazine will host separate gatherings this month to recognize its 2026 recipients. This shift is intended to create more room for honoring creative work and emerging talent.

The initiative falls under the leadership of Adam Baidawi, who became the global editorial director in February 2026. Baidawi succeeded Will Welch, who departed for a role in Paris collaborating with Pharrell Williams. Under Baidawi’s direction, the magazine has secured three major co hosts for the 31st edition of the series. Chris Rock, Andrew Garfield, and Matt Damon will serve as anchors for their respective honors, corresponding to their roles in the films Misty Green, Artificial, and The Odyssey.

The 2026 honors extend beyond the cover stars to include key figures in film and fashion. Denis Villeneuve is named GQ’s director of the year for his work on Dune: Part Three. Michael Rider of Celine receives the title of designer of the year. These individuals will join the co hosts across the series of gatherings, which cover entertainment, fashion, and the arts.

The schedule opens on November 10 at the newly opened Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. The evening begins with a champagne reception for Villeneuve. This is followed by a live recording of GQ’s One More Question interview series, hosted by senior special projects editor Zach Baron. The night concludes with a VIP screening of Dune: Part Two. Attendees will see the film before its final release in the franchise on December 18.

On November 11, the magazine hosts a Breakouts house party at the Sheats-Goldstein Residence. This event recognizes the 13 Breakouts of 2026, a group of rising names in film, television, music, comedy, and podcasting. The full list of these emerging talents is set to appear on GQ.com on November 9. This publication will provide a preview of the individuals to be celebrated at the residence.

The final event occurs on November 12 at the Chateau Marmont. The night starts with an intimate dinner for the cover stars. Filmed toasts from special guests will be part of this dinner. After dessert, the gathering transitions into the annual Men of the Year party. This segment is expected to attract a large crowd of VIPs from the entertainment, fashion, sports, and culture industries.

Baidawi explained the reasoning for the expanded format in a statement. He noted that this year’s honorees delivered extraordinary performances that shaped the cultural conversation of 2026. He said the magazine wanted to match that creative ambition with an innovative approach. He described the three-event expansion as a new chapter for Men of the Year, offering space to celebrate the work, explore the ideas behind it, and introduce the next wave of talent.