The challenge of effectively diagnosing and treating glioblastoma, which has a high incidence and low survival rate, remains unresolved. Consequently, research efforts have increased to develop specific and effective diagnostic and therapeutic agents. In this study, N-acetyl glucosamine-modified, IR780-encapsulated, PEG-coated, nanosized, 68Ga-labeled, neutral, and positively charged theranostic liposomes were developed for GLUT1 targeting for PET/CT and NIR imaging and PDT/PTT of GBM. Characterization, in vitro release profile, stability, radiolabeling efficiency, and labeling stability were evaluated. In vitro cell uptake studies were conducted in RG2 and U87 GBM cell lines, NIR images were obtained in the RG2 and U87 cell lines, and fluorescence microscope images were obtained in the RG2 cell line. PDT/PTT activities were assessed after exposure to NIR light (808 nm, 0.8–1 W/cm2). Cytotoxicity was studied in RG2, U87, and L929 cell lines. In vivo studies were performed in GBM model nude mice. The liposomes had an optimum mean particle size (181–193 nm), high encapsulation efficiency (79–84 %), and zeta potential (−5 to −7 mV). The maximum 68Ga labeling efficiency was achieved with an incubation at 80 °C, pH: 3.5, and 5 min. Liposomes remained stable for 30 days at 4 °C. While the intracellular uptake of targeted formulations was higher than non-targeted ones, it was similar for positively charged and neutral formulations. In U87 and RG2 cell lines, cell viability remained above 50 % for liposomal formulations at a concentration of 1.5 μg/mL exposed to NIR light (808 nm, 0.8–1 W/cm2). The formulations showed significant PDT/PTT activity under NIR light and lower cytotoxicity in the L929 than in RG2 and U87 cell lines. In vivo bioluminescence images and biodistribution studies in U87 tumor-bearing nude mice revealed higher tumor uptake of targeted, IR780-encapsulated liposomal formulations in tumor tissue compared to non-targeted ones. Liposomal formulations showed higher tumor uptake than the free IR780 solution. The data suggest that targeted liposomes have potential as theranostic agents for PDT/PTT and multifunctional glioblastoma imaging.