The World Sports Photography Awards 2027, sponsored by Canon, has officially opened for entries, inviting photographers from around the world to capture and share the defining moments of sport through powerful visual storytelling.
The competition celebrates the artistry, emotion, intensity and physicality of sporting events, recognising photographers whose images bring audiences closer to the moments that shape sporting history. With submissions free of charge, the awards offer professionals and emerging creatives an opportunity to gain international recognition in one of the leading competitions dedicated to sports photography.
The 2026 edition marked a significant milestone for the awards, attracting more than 4,200 entries from photographers across 123 countries and covering over 60 sports. The international participation and extensive media coverage highlighted the competition’s growing reach and influence within the global photography community.
Canon is continuing its sponsorship for the 2027 edition, building on its long-standing involvement in sports photography and its support for professionals documenting major sporting events. According to World Sports Photography Awards co-founder Simon Burton, the partnership will continue to help showcase the passion and drama of sport across disciplines and regions worldwide.
A key feature returning for 2027 is the Canon Emerging Talent award, introduced in the previous edition to recognise young photographers and support the next generation of creative professionals. Following its initial success, the category will continue with an updated age requirement, lowering the eligibility threshold to photographers under 25 years old.
Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director at Canon Central and North Africa, said the initiative reflects Canon’s commitment to supporting emerging talent by providing young photographers with a platform to demonstrate their creativity, develop their careers and tell compelling stories through their images.
For the 2027 competition, participants may submit up to 10 photographs captured between December 2025 and November 2026, across 24 sports categories. Images previously entered in the 2026 competition are not eligible for resubmission.
Entries opened on 9 September 2026 and will close on 23 November 2026. Photographers are encouraged to review the updated categories, eligibility requirements and competition rules before submitting their work.
As sports photography continues to shape how audiences experience athletic achievement, the awards provide a platform for celebrating visual creativity while connecting photographers with a global community of sports, media and creative professionals.
By combining international recognition with a dedicated pathway for emerging photographers, the World Sports Photography Awards 2027 aims to highlight the stories behind sport’s most memorable moments and encourage new talent to contribute to the future of sports photography.
Competition details
- Entry deadline: 23 November 2026
- Entry fee: Free
- Maximum submission: 10 images per photographer
- Eligible image dates: December 2025–November 2026
- Categories: 24 sports categories
- Emerging Talent award: Photographers under 25 years old
Photographers can find submission guidelines, eligibility criteria and further information on the official World Sports Photography Awards website.