AMSTERDAM — A constellation of the continent's brightest performers packed Theater Amsterdam on Sunday night for the 2026 Euro XMAs, adult entertainment's biggest night in Europe, bringing plenty of glamour, celebration and sultry fun.

Hosting the red carpet was Clea Gaultier, who sparkled in a form-fitting gold gown as she interviewed nominees upon arrival and captured their excitement ahead of the ceremony. The glittering event delivered long-awaited firsts, emotional speeches and plenty of love as winners reflected on the people, platforms and personal journeys behind their success.

Among the evening's top winners, Catherine Knight and Shadow Dimitri claimed Female and Male Performer of the Year, while Audrey Reid was named Best New Performer. Vixenp, Jordi El Niño Polla and Aviva earned the Female, Male and Trans Creator of the Year titles, respectively.

Vixen Media Group's "Pull" took Best Picture, with Julia Grandi also earning Body of Work Director of the Year, while industry pioneer Marc Dorcel received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hosts Amirah Adara and Ella Hughes illuminated the stage with distinct visions of European elegance. Adara shimmered like the night sky in a form-fitting black sequined ensemble with strategically placed cutouts, while Hughes was the belle of the ball in a sweeping silver gown with billowing, butterfly-adorned sleeves.

Adara brought playful, high-energy sex appeal, while Hughes channeled the sultry charm of a silver-screen siren. Their chemistry was immediate as a musical welcome gave way to a deliciously funny opening monologue celebrating Europe's vastness, its many cultures and the one international language uniting them all: sex.

Before they could get down to business, however, Hughes confessed to one small problem.

"Honestly, I can't see the teleprompter," she said.

"It's fine," Adara assured her. "If we get lost, we'll just smile, look sexy and hope somebody brings us champagne."

Multi-time Euro XMA winner Christian Clay soon answered the call, emerging with miniature bottles of liquor for the hosts. After a celebratory swig, the night was officially off and running.

"So Many Hot People, I'm Melting"

Clay returned moments later alongside Agatha Vega, who had clearly received the glitzy-dress memo and arrived draped in jewels.

"There are so many hot people in here, I'm melting," she declared.

Early winners included Dorcel's “My Wife Unleashed" for Best Vignette, faceless couple Dick and Jane Masquerade for Streamer Duo of the Year, and pearl-draped newcomer Luna Doll for Rising Streamer of the Year. Kiiroo's Keon 2 earned Best Male Pleasure Product, while Orgie's Lube Tube Vibe claimed Best Sex Enhancement Product.

The first long-awaited milestone arrived when Adreena Winters was named Fetish Creator of the Year.

"I can't believe this has finally happened," she shouted. “It's been seven years, and this is my first XBIZ Award!"

Tyra Ride was nearly speechless after earning Inked Creator of the Year, while Polly Rocket began shaking and crying when she was named Faceless Creator of the Year. As the crowd rallied around her, Rocket leaned toward a microphone that presenters Evie Rees and Victoria Peach had carefully adjusted for her.

"I really appreciate it, and I appreciate you all," she said through tears.

Katie Summer was similarly moved after earning BBW Creator of the Year for the third consecutive year.

"Oh, what a fabulous year," she marveled. "This is my third award!"

Other creator honors went to an overwhelmed Belle O'Hara, who shimmered in a galaxy-inspired gown as she accepted MILF Creator of the Year, and Yasmina Khan and Brady Bud, who celebrated their hometown and partnership after winning Creator Duo of the Year. Gatita Veve was named Rising Creator of the Year.

The streamer categories brought another wave of excitement as first-time attendee Emmy Angeles won Trans Streamer of the Year, Dominant Alex earned Male Streamer of the Year, and a bashful Vanandjuani accepted Female Streamer of the Year.

Elsewhere, DorcelClub.com was named Paysite of the Year, while Sofia Laone and Emma Petite earned Best Lesbian Sex Scene for Erika Lust's "Brush Me Softly." Adara, Catherine Knight and Xander Corvus won Best Feature Sex Scene for Digital Playground's "Clash of the Vikings," prompting Adara and Knight to kiss before jumping up and down in celebration.

LittleCaprice-Dreams.com claimed its fourth consecutive Performer/Director Site of the Year trophy. Accepting alongside Little Caprice, Marcello Bravo closed the victory with a rousing tribute to the unifying power of pleasure.

"We are all winners because, in this industry, we give pleasure, we give love, we give sex, and we make the world happy," he declared. "We don't give a shit about politics. We don't give a shit about skin color. We give a shit about cock size, and we fuck everything!"

"Show Up and Show Out"

The focus moved from trophies to the platforms supporting the industry as show sponsor Fansly's Director of Marketing Leah Koons took the stage. Though Fansly is not based in Europe, she thanked the community for its trust and support before calling on platforms to stand firmly behind the creators driving their success.

“It's not hard to be a good platform. It's not hard to stand up for creators. It's not hard to offer things like chargeback protection, and it's not hard to show up and show out for the people who make you your fucking money," she said. "We understand that it's an honor to work in this space, and I promise you that we will not forget that."

During intermission, a pair of aerialists twisted, flipped and soared above the stage in a gravity-defying fusion of acrobatics and sensuality. When Adara and Hughes returned, they turned the spotlight on the community and invited everyone to share the love.

"If there is someone in this room who has inspired you, collaborated with you, or simply made this business a little more fun, turn to them now and say, 'You're fucking fabulous,'" Adara instructed.

Around the room, attendees turned to friends and colleagues, turning the playful prompt into a spontaneous celebration of the community in their midst.

A Toast to Creative Ambition

Vixen Media Group's "Pull" emerged as one of the evening's biggest winners, with Hope Heaven earning Best Acting for a project she called the best she had ever worked on and Julia Grandi claiming Director of the Year — Body of Work (Narrative).

"I think I need a bigger office to put all of these awards in," Grandi joked. "But it's a pleasure every time."

Marcello Bravo earned Director of the Year — Body of Work (Non-Narrative), while Clémence Audiard's "No Way Back" won Director of the Year — Individual Work. Audiard grew emotional as she reflected on what her small team had accomplished.

"To be on the same list with these amazing directors — you are my inspiration," she said. "This year has been crazy. In 10 months, look at what we have done."

Lustery.com founder Paulita Pappel marked the platform's 10th anniversary with an Erotic Site of the Year win and a call for the community to keep looking out for one another.

"Let's keep making this industry a safe space," she said. “Let's take care of each other and keep teaching people that sexuality should be celebrated."

The celebration of creative ambition and longevity continued as Adara and Hughes presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Marc Dorcel. Dorcel CEO Gregory Dorcel accepted on his behalf and reflected on the philosophy behind the company's legacy.

"I never believed that because we make pornography, it should be treated like something secondary or made with less care," he said. "We owe something to the audience: quality, creativity, and the ambition to make every production as good as it can be."

Other creative honors included Best Intimate Apparel Brand for TOF Paris and Best All-Sex Scene for Clea Gaultier and Keiran Lee in Brazzers' "Clea's Classy Penthouse Fuck." Hughes, Vega, Terry Banks and Shadow Dimitri earned Best Orgy/Group Sex Scene (Mixed) for "Knockout Babes Fuck Two Cops on Duty," while Adara, Max Dior, Michael Fly and Deny Lou won Best Orgy/Group Scene (Female-Led) for Evil Angel's "Hardcore Gangbangs: Maledom."

"Fucking Finally"

As the ceremony moved toward its marquee honors, Aviva delivered another heartfelt moment after being named Trans Creator of the Year.

"From a small little town in Ireland to now standing on the stage at XBIZ, I am so grateful," she said, raising her trophy into the air. “Here's to the Trans Creator of the Year 2026, Aviva!"

Jordi El Niño Polla accepted Male Creator of the Year to chants of "Jordi! Jordi!" while Vixenp claimed Female Creator of the Year.

"Pull" completed its triumphant run with a Best Picture win, bringing Grandi back to the stage with her cast in tow.

"This movie was special because it was based on the true story of my life, and my team and cast helped show my story to the world," she said before squealing with delight and dancing her way offstage.

Best New Performer winner Audrey Reid brought equal parts attitude and emotion. Dressed in a dramatic gown reminiscent of Maddy Perez’s wedding look in “Euphoria,” she greeted the victory with delighted disbelief.

“Biiiiitch! Biiiiitch!” she exclaimed, applauding herself with a playful flutter of her fingers.

Reid then thanked those who guided her early in her journey, growing visibly emotional and stepping back from the microphone to collect herself as the magnitude of the moment set in.

Shalina Devine earned MILF Performer of the Year, thanking the Dorcel team, before Shadow Dimitri accepted Male Performer of the Year with his arms outstretched.

"Thank you!" he shouted. "I bloody love you!"

Kieran Lee arrived to present the final performer honor, joking, "I'm a bit nervous with my clothes on," as the crowd encouraged him to take them off. Instead, he announced Knight as Female Performer of the Year.

"Fucking finally," Knight said, staring at the golden trophy in her hands. "This is the reason I've been working so hard all these years, and it feels so good to be holding it right now."

With the final award presented, Hughes and Adara gathered the evening's winners and presenters for an Oscars-style selfie, though maneuvering Hughes and her voluminous ballgown into position proved an undertaking of its own.

"Don't worry, we're trained for this," Adara joked as she helped her co-host navigate the sea of silver fabric.

Once everyone had squeezed into the frame, the pair captured a picture-perfect ending to a night when Europe's brightest adult stars came together to shine.