The SJA British Sports Journalism Awards, sponsored by Canon – the industry’s ‘Oscars’ – will this year be held at the London Palladium on Monday, April 27; category shortlists will be announced from March 25 to 27…
The London Palladium will be the venue for the Sports Journalists’ Association’s British Sports Journalism Awards gala night on April 27, 2026.
It will be the 49th edition of the Awards, which are sponsored by Canon and celebrate excellence in all areas of the UK sports media industry.
Following the entry deadline in early February, panels of experienced judges have been deliberating on more than 40 categories, grouped into five sections – Open Media, Writing, Photography, Broadcast, and SJA Upcoming Talent.
The shortlists will be announced on the following dates:
- Wednesday 27 March – Photography
- Thursday 28 March – Open Media and Writing
- Friday 29 March – Broadcast
⬇️ Access the full list of Categories here…
Open Media – Content Agency; Cricket Journalist; Data Journalist; Football Journalist; Rugby Journalist; Specialist Correspondent; Sport for Change Journalism; Sports Publisher; Sports Scoop; Sports Summariser; Women’s Football Journalist
Writing – Columnist Long-Form; Columnist Short-Form; Feature Writer Long-Form; Feature Writer Short-Form; News Reporter; Regional Journalist; Specialist Sports Publisher; Newspaper of the Year
Photography (sponsored by Canon) – Canon Portfolio; Football Portfolio; News Picture; Picture; Specialist Portfolio
Broadcast – Audio Documentary; Audio Live Event Coverage; Audio Podcast ‘Always On’; Audio Podcast Limited Series; Audio Show; Broadcast Journalist; Commentator; Content Creator; Content Creator Exclusive; Presenter; Pundit; TV Documentary; TV Live Event Coverage; TV Show; YouTube Channel; YouTube Newcomer; YouTube Show
SJA Upcoming Talent – Canon Young Photographer; Ones to Watch Writing; Ones to Watch Broadcast On Air; Ones to Watch Broadcast Off Air; SJA Academy Award (in association with talkSPORT)
The SJA Sports Journalist of the Year and the Canon SJA Sports Photographer of the Year winners will be decided by expert panels of judges, choosing from shortlisted entrants in the relevant sections.
The iconic London Palladium in the West End will provide a glamorous and prestigious setting for guests attending the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards.
With a history dating back to 1910, the Palladium is one of the largest theatres in the capital by capacity and has hosted more Royal Variety Performances than any other London venue.
This year, on the last Monday in April, the variety and depth of talent in British sports media will be firmly in the spotlight, as the Journalism Awards gala night enters a new era.
The first-ever prize for Sportswriter of the Year, for 1976, was shared by Hugh McIlvanney and Ian Wooldridge, two undisputed titans of their craft. The following year saw Gerry Cranham named the first Sports Photographer of the Year.
Nearly a half-century later, the Awards have been greatly expanded. They recognise outstanding work in a range of disciplines, across print, digital, TV, radio, social media and other platforms.
The SJA is offering a selection of fantastic sponsorship opportunities for the Awards – register your interest via email.
Speaking at last year’s Awards gala, SJA President Darren Lewis described the annual event as “the Oscars of journalism.”
“They are where the very best of this industry are celebrated – storytellers, presenters, production staff, photographers, summarisers… they’re all getting the credit they deserve.
“The SJA is on an almost ongoing quest to make sure everybody who works so incredibly hard in this industry is seen and recognised.”
Information on how to get tickets for the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards gala at the London Palladium on Monday, April 27, will follow in due course.
Not yet an SJA member? Join the Association for the annual membership fee of £30. Members receive discounted entry fees to the Awards, as well as many other benefits. Full info here.
To see the roll of honour of past winners of the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards, click here.
You can also look back on the last 20 editions of the Awards and find links to all the shortlists here.
The SJA is interested in your sports media industry news and views. Keen to reach an engaged audience, including over 70,000 followers across social media? We welcome your enquiries – contact us here. We also offer advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
For information on how to apply as a Full or Associate Member of the SJA, plus details of our free-to-enter SJA Academy, click here.