World Sports Photography Awards (http://www.WorldSportsPhotographyAwards.com), the world’s leading celebration of sports photography, today announces Canon (www.Canon-CNA.com) as the Official Imaging Partner for the highly-anticipated 2026 awards. Celebrating the world’s finest sports photographers, the free to enter awards recognise images that capture the passion, raw emotion, athleticism, and focus at the heart of sport.
Judged by leading figures from sport, media, photography, branding, and the creative industries, the World Sports Photography Awards has firmly established itself as the world’s biggest celebration of sports photography. The 2025 awards marked a record-breaking year, attracting over 2,200 photographers from 97 countries submitting work across more than 50 sports. Extensive international media coverage and participation from leading sports organisations underscored the award’s continued global growth and influence.
Commenting on Canon’s sponsorship of the awards and what we can expect for 2026, World Sports Photography Awards Co-Founder, Simon Burton, said: “If there’s one name synonymous with sports photography, it’s Canon. We couldn’t be more honoured or excited to welcome Canon to World Sports Photography Awards. It’s been an incredible year for sport around the world, and we are eager to see the images submitted this year across sports and geographies.”
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. A brand-new and exciting addition for the 2026 edition is the ‘Canon Emerging Talent’ award. This dedicated category will shine a spotlight on the next generation of sports photographers, specifically recognising young and upcoming talent under the age of 30 for their unique skill, creativity, and passion in capturing the drama and beauty of sport.
Richard Shepherd, Product Marketing Senior Manager, Imaging at Canon Europe, adds: “Canon has a proud legacy of supporting professional sports photographers and helping them capture some of the most iconic moments in sporting history. With the introduction of the ‘Canon Emerging Talent’ award, we’re building on that heritage by extending our support to the next generation of visual storytellers. This new category celebrates the creativity and passion of up-and-coming photographers and reflects our ongoing commitment to providing the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.”
With this announcement, the 2026 awards are now officially open for entries. Participants from across the industry and globe are invited to submit their work and gain recognition on one of the most celebrated stages in the field.
For 2026, photographers are invited to submit up to 10 images captured between December 2024 and November 2025 across 24 sports categories. Submissions are free of charge and close on 24 November 2025. Please note that images entered in the 2025 competition are not eligible.
Key details:
- Entries open: 01 October 2025
- Submission deadline: 24 November 2025
- Eligibility: Up to 10 images taken between December 2024 – November 2025
- Categories: 24 sports categories
- Cost: Free of charge
The World Sports Photography Awards, sponsored by Canon, continue to celebrate the art of sports photography – showcasing the images and photographers that inspire audiences around the world.
For rules and regulations, please visit the Rules (http://apo-opa.co/4hit7ep) page, T&Cs (http://apo-opa.co/4h1w3fh) and other FAQs (http://apo-opa.co/48QDune) here.
For more information and to enter, visit: www.WorldSportsPhotographyAwards.com
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).
Full Press Kit and 2025 Images Available Here: http://apo-opa.co/3KWTV7y
Media enquiries, please contact:
Canon Central and North Africa
Mai Youssef
e. Mai.youssef@canon-me.com
APO Group – PR Agency
Rania ElRafie
e. Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com
For more information about the World Sports Photography Awards, please contact
Dan Naughton
dan@worldsportsphotographyawards.com
World Sports Photography Awards:
Nothing captures the emotion of sports like photography. World Sport Photography Awards celebrates the best sports photography by the best sports photographers. With images from over 60 different sports, from elite to grass roots, the World Sports Photography Awards tell compelling stories of the emotion, passion, athleticism and focus that are at the heart of sport.
Now in its sixth edition, the World Sports Photography Awards are the only global awards for sport photography. Entered by the world’s best sports photographers, judged by leading figures from sport, media, photography, brand and creative. Designed to recognise and celebrates incredible sports images and the photographers who take them.
About Canon Central and North Africa:
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (www.Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.
Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.
Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (http://apo-opa.co/4mWyqRQ) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.
For more information: www.Canon-CNA.com