Photo Credit: Bob Donnan
The World Sports Photography Awards, sponsored by Canon and celebrated as the world’s foremost showcase of sports photography, has officially opened entries for its much anticipated 2027 edition. Entry remains free, with the awards honoring the most gifted sports photographers from around the globe and celebrating images that convey the drama, emotion and physicality at the heart of sport.
Judged by leading figures spanning sport, media, photography, branding and the broader creative sector, the World Sports Photography Awards continues to stand as the world’s biggest celebration of sports photography.
The 2026 edition marked a breakthrough year, attracting over 4,200 entries from photographers in 123 countries and spanning more than 60 sports. Extensive international media coverage, coupled with support from leading sports organizations, underlined the awards’ continued global growth and rising influence.
Canon has a long and proud history in sports photography, equipping generations of photographers with the tools to capture iconic sporting moments that have defined eras. The introduction of the Canon Emerging Talent award in the 2026 edition has shown remarkable success and aims to help bring along the next era of great sports photographers once again in 2027. This dedicated category will continue recognizing young and upcoming talent, with the age limit lowered slightly to under 25 to better capture the essence of the award.
With this announcement, the 2027 awards are now officially open for entries. Participants from across the industry and around the globe are invited to submit their work and gain recognition on one of the most celebrated stages in the field.
For 2027, photographers are invited to submit up to 10 images captured between December 2025 and November 2026 across 24 sports categories. Submissions are free of charge and close on November 23, 2026. Images entered in the 2026 competition are not eligible. Adjustments have also been made to the categories, and photographers are asked to be aware of these changes when entering.
Key Details
Entries open: September 9, 2026
Submission deadline: November 23, 2026
Eligibility: Up to 10 images taken between December 2025 and November 2026
Categories: 24 sports categories
Cost: Free of charge
The World Sports Photography Awards, sponsored by Canon, continues to celebrate the art of sports photography, showcasing the images and photographers that inspire audiences around the world.
