The pre-nomination period for the 2027 XBIZ Exec Awards, which recognize career achievements in the adult industry, commenced on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, and will conclude on October 14, 2026. These annual awards are scheduled to be presented in January 2027 as part of the XBIZ events series in Los Angeles.

XBIZ Exec Awards Overview

The XBIZ Exec Awards are designed to highlight leadership and creativity within the adult business community. The awards acknowledge achievements across various career roles, celebrating individuals behind progressive brands in the adult industry. The ceremony is described as a yearly gala that hosts prominent figures in the business.

The 2027 XBIZ Exec Awards will feature two distinct editions. The Adult Entertainment edition is scheduled for January 8, 2027, while the Pleasure & Retail edition will take place on January 9, 2027. Both events are held in conjunction with the January XBIZ events series.

Industry members are invited to submit their pre-nominations through XBIZ.net. Further announcements regarding the events will be made on XBIZ.com.

Context of XBIZ and XMAs

The XBIZ Exec Awards are part of a broader suite of awards organized by XBIZ Media Corp. The XBIZ Awards, established in 2003, were an annual ceremony created to recognize excellence across the adult entertainment industry, honoring performers, directors, producers, companies, and products. These awards covered categories such as movies, production, digital media, pleasure products, and retail. XBIZ publisher and founder Alec Helmy stated that the awards were created to encompass all facets of the business and present it professionally.

In September 2024, ahead of the 2025 edition, the XBIZ Awards were rebranded as the XMAs to unify the series under a new identity while maintaining their core mission. The XMAs have been described as the "Adult Industry's Biggest Night" and have been likened to the international film and TV industry's Golden Globes. The flagship XMAs ceremony is typically held in January in Los Angeles, at venues such as the Hollywood Palladium, and includes red-carpet arrivals, live performances, and presentations by industry stars.

Nominations for the XMAs are submitted by industry professionals and fans, with winners selected through peer voting from industry professionals and fan voting for specific categories. This process aims to showcase talent from straight, gay, trans, and international markets. The 2025 XMAs were held on January 20 at the Hollywood Palladium, and the 2026 XMAs took place on January 18, 2026, also at the Hollywood Palladium, where Digital Playground's "Deadly Vows" received the Best Picture award.

Complementary events, such as the XMA Creator Awards and XMA Europa Awards, extend recognition to specific niches. The XMA Creator Awards celebrate content creators and indie stardom, with the 2026 edition held on May 16, 2026, in Miami Beach. The XMA Europa Awards, which recognize European productions, held their 2026 ceremony on September 15, 2026, in Amsterdam. The XBIZ Exec Awards specifically focus on business executives, fostering a global network within the adult industry.

Recent Industry Developments

Several other notable developments in the adult industry have occurred recently. On October 7, 2026, Takedown Piracy reported successful infiltration of Mega.nz folders, leading to the identification and removal of thousands of instances of stolen content. On October 6, 2026, the 3D adult video game LoveCraft announced a partnership with Motorbunny, resulting in a virtual version of the Motorbunny Buck vibrating saddle for use in the Steam platform game. Also on October 6, 2026, Pornhub parent company Aylo stated that Australian users on Apple devices could once again access the site, provided they confirmed their age through Apple’s Australian age-verification process. Blush introduced its new dual-sided wand vibrator, Amelia, on October 6, 2026, designed for both G-spot and clitoral stimulation. CalExotics expanded its Cheap Thrills line of male masturbators with four new products on October 5, 2026.

Legislative and regulatory changes have also been observed. On October 5, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law to narrow the scope of the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), aiming to prevent abusive lawsuits against online businesses, including adult websites. Concurrently, Governor Newsom also signed a bill to impose stricter compliance standards for user-generated content (UGC) on adult websites accessible in California. In the United Kingdom, a Ministry of Justice official indicated on October 5, 2026, that enforcement of a new law criminalizing depictions of “non-fatal strangulation” in adult content is expected to begin before the end of the year.

XBIZ also announced the debut of XBIZ Retreat Canada in Toronto from August 16-20, 2027, bringing its hosted-buyer experience to the region. The Sexual Wellness Professional Alliance (SWPA), a division of the Free Speech Coalition, is scheduled to host a webinar on October 7, 2026, offering strategies for sexual wellness brands to attract media coverage.

Key Facts

  • The pre-nomination period for the 2027 XBIZ Exec Awards began on October 7, 2026, and concludes on October 14, 2026.
  • The awards recognize outstanding creativity, leadership, and achievement across various career roles in the adult industry.
  • The Adult Entertainment edition of the 2027 XBIZ Exec Awards is scheduled for January 8, 2027.
  • The Pleasure & Retail edition of the 2027 XBIZ Exec Awards is scheduled for January 9, 2027.
  • Industry members can submit pre-nominations via XBIZ.net.
  • The XBIZ Exec Awards are held in conjunction with the January XBIZ events series in Los Angeles.