LIA opens entries for 2026 awards with new categories and early bird deadline of April 30
London International Awards (LIA) has opened entries for 2026 and is offering a 35% early bird discount on entry fees until April 30.
As the show created for creatives, LIA is one of 12 awards included in the Campaign Brief Asia Creative Rankings and one of five global shows featured in the WARC Creative 100. It is also recognised by The Drum World Creative Rankings, ADC Germany, Indikat and more.
“Winning awards is where the magic happens in gaining more value for your work. It’s the gateway to greater creativity, more personal and business opportunities”, Christina Shaw, VP – Awards Director commented, “It’s all very easy to get started. The point is to get started.”
Six new categories added for 2026.
This year, there are six new categories to increase your chances of showcasing your work on the global stage. Even Finalists gain worldwide attention. The new categories are:
SPORTS: Recognizes work that celebrates original, impactful and culturally aware work inspired by sport. Creativity that harnesses the power of sport and sportspeople to connect with audiences, work that harnesses the power of creativity, that captures the drama, emotion and unity of sports to drive both brand and cultural impact.
GAMING: The creative use of video games and gamified interactive media for desktop, mobile, web, virtual or web 3.0 platforms to create branded experiences.
CULTURAL CATALYST: Recognizes creativity that sparks significant cultural impact. Work that is relevant, sparks conversations, sets trends and integrates itself into the cultural conversation. This new category is inextricably linked to culture and transforms marketing into unique content.
ENTERTAINMENT & CONTENT: Honors storytelling that leverages entertainment to market a brand, product, or service. This category moves far beyond traditional marketing and into genuine engagement awarding work that captivates audiences in ways indistinguishable from entertainment alone. Leveraging ecosystems like film, television, gaming, mobile and live events.
BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION: Recognizes that creativity does not just live within campaigns. It now plays an influential role in the enduring transformation of business including their operations, services, products, internal and customer experiences. This medium doesn’t just recognize work that promotes solutions to customers. It recognizes the solutions themselves.
DEMOCRACY and HUMAN RIGHTS: Recognizes creative work that actively promotes and strengthens Democratic and Human Rights values around the world. Honors communications and ideas that inspire people to care about human rights, free expression, fair representation, accountability and the essential freedoms that allow democracy to thrive and human rights to be protected. Rather than simply illustrating these principles, the work should motivate audiences to protect and advance them, whether it is at a local, national, continental or global level. This award has support, but no operational role from the European Parliament to amplify the promotion of human rights and democracy. No work for political parties or political candidates will be eligible for submission.
The winners of LIA redefine the standard of creativity every year. Winning a winged LIA statue has opened doors and earned winners worldwide accolades and recognition. It sets you apart from your peers.
Onsite judging will be held from 25th September through 3rd October 2026 at Encore @ Wynn Las Vegas. Winners and Finalists will be announced 28th September through 5th October, 2026.
Eligibility: Work released from 1st July 2025 through to 31st August 2026.
The clock is ticking. 35% discount valid through 30th April.
Visit the LIA website for more information, or download the Entry Kit here.