2026 World Sports Photography Awards The winners of the 2026 World Sports Photography Awards have been announced, highlighting impeccable timing, dramatic lighting and memorable moments. The contest showcases work from sports photographers across 24 categories, spanning more than 50 sports, including American Football, Baseball, Football, Formula 1, and more.
In addition to Gold, Silver, Bronze and Special Merit awards in each category, the jury selects a Gold, Silver and Bronze Grand Prix award for the three top images.
This year's edition drew a record number of submissions. 23,130 images were submitted by 4120 photographers from 123 countries. "The images recognised this year showcase photographers at their creative best, pushing boundaries, seeing differently and capturing sport in ways we’ve not experienced before," said Richard Shepherd, Product Marketing Senior Manager, Imaging at Canon Europe.
You can see all of the winning images and learn more about the contest at the World Sports Photography Awards website.
Grand Prix - Gold
Photographer: Edgar Su
Image Title: Carlos' Shadow Hits A Ball
Award(s): Grand Prix - Gold, Tennis - Gold
Description: Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 19, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during his fourth round match against Britain's Jack Draper
Grand Prix - Silver
Photographer: Beatriz Ryder da Costa
Image Title: The Underworld
Award(s): Grand Prix - Silver, Aquatic - Gold
Description: We were deep in the Solomon Islands, on an island where we were the first white people anyone had ever seen, and yes, we were worried about saltwater crocs. I snapped the photo not knowing if it had worked, and when I saw it had, the stoke exploded. The waves were not great but that didn't matter, it was that raw, chaotic moment of adventure and disbelief that made it unforgettable.
Grand Prix - Bronze
Photographer: Richard Heathcote
Image Title: India v England layers
Award(s): Grand Prix - Bronze, Cricket - Gold
Description: Not provided
American Football - Silver
Photographer: Kyle Zedaker
Image Title: POV
Award(s): American Football - Silver
Description: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take the field during team introductions prior to a regular season game. Shot on a rig with an authentic facemask attached, this photo is intended to simulate a players point of view, giving the viewer a true behind the scenes feel at what it's like to be an NFL player.
Aquatic - Silver
Photographer: Petr Slavik
Image Title: Razor
Award(s): Aquatic - Silver
Description: ICF and U23 Wildwater Canoeing World Championships Solkan 2025
Athletics - Gold
Photographer: Kenjiro Matsuo
Image Title: Tokyo Rocket
Award(s): Athletics - Gold
Description: Not provided
Baseball - Gold
Photographer: Steph Chambers
Image Title: Bubble
Award(s): Baseball - Gold
Description: Eugenio Su
Basketball - Gold
Photographer: Bob Donnan
Image Title: Breakaway for the Lead
Award(s): Basketball - Gold
Description: Florida guard Alijah Martin gives the Gators the lead for good on a breakaway score in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament.
Boxing - Gold
Photographer: Alexis Goudeau
Image Title: Uppercut
Award(s): Boxing - Gold
Description: Not provided
Cricket - Silver
Photographer: Santanu Banik
Image Title: Pant’s audacious pull electrifies the SCG
Award(s): Cricket - Silver
Description: Rishabh Pant of India unleashes one of his trademark, 360-degree pull shots during day two of the fifth NRMA Insurance Test of the Border–Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Known for his fearless, unconventional stroke-play, Pant once again chooses attack over caution at a time when his team needs inspiration. Having soaked up pressure and tight bowling, he responds by taking on the short ball and swinging through the line with complete abandon. The full house at the SCG is treated to the kind of audacious batting that has become his calling card. This frame freezes that moment of risk and imagination, with Pant’s body contorted and the bat carving an improbable arc across the sky.
Cycling - Special Merit
Photographer: Ashley & Jered Gruber
Image Title: Pauline Ferrand-Pr
Award(s): Cycling - Special Merit
Description: Pauline Ferrand-Pr
Equestrian - Gold
Photographer: Morgan Treacy
Image Title: Equine Reflection
Award(s): Equestrian - Gold
Description: Runners and riders reflected in the sand on the beach in Laytown, Ireland's only horse racing event run on a beach under the Rules of Racing.
Football - Gold
Photographer: Luis Amaral
Image Title: Black & White Passion
Award(s): Football - Gold
Description: Emotion that bursts in the moment and finds itself in someone else — the kind of feeling football turns into its own language, especially in the father-and-child bond.
Formula 1 - Bronze
Photographer: Florent Gooden
Image Title: Eau Rouge F1 Train
Award(s): Formula 1 - Bronze
Description: All the F1 cars racing on lap 1 at the famous Eau Rouge & Raidillon corners during the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix
Golf - Silver
Photographer: K. C. Alfred
Image Title: Fore
Award(s): Golf - Silver
Description: Scottie Scheffler chips on the 8th hole of Torrey Pines south during the second round of the Genesis Invitational as a large promotional golf ball is displayed.
Gymnastics - Silver
Photographer: Arnab Sarkar
Image Title: Poise in motion
Award(s): Gymnastics - Silver
Description: In the midst of a flawless leap, she holds the ball gently, her form a symphony of strength and poise. The composition is striking – her hands holding the ball, as if she's holding her head in hand, even as she defies gravity. This fleeting moment, frozen in time, is the essence of artistic gymnastics. This image is taken in skygrace event.
Ice Hockey - Gold
Photographer: Sophia Sandurskaya
Image Title: Last Line of Defense
Award(s): Ice Hockey - Gold
Description: "Moscow, Russian Federation, Megasport Stadium. Kontinental Hockey League. "Spartak" (Moscow) vs "Shanghai Dragons" (Shanghai). Players of "Shanghai Dragons" (in white) and "Spartak" (in red) during the match. "
Martial Arts - Gold
Photographer: Tom Jenkins
Image Title: Unusual sumo attack
Award(s): Martial Arts - Gold
Description: Tobizaru sticks a finger up the nose of Takayasu as they fight during the final day of the five day Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall on October 19th 2025 in London, England.
Motor Sports - Special Merit
Photographer: Yana Stancheva
Image Title: Through the rocks
Award(s): Motor Sports - Special Merit
Description: A tricky crossing of a rocky mountain pass during Dakar Rally 2025
Other - Gold
Photographer: Anna Zinovieva
Image Title: Bout
Award(s): Other - Gold
Description: Not provided
Racket Sports - Gold
Photographer: Abelardo Mendes Jr
Image Title: Kim Nayeong - WTT Foz do Igua
Award(s): Racket Sports - Gold
Description: Kim Nayeong (South Korea) - Table Tennis - WTT Star Contender Foz do Igua
Rugby - Gold
Photographer: Andrew Dowling
Image Title: New Zealand Haka
Award(s): Rugby - Gold
Description: The Haka at the principality stadium in cardiff
Swimming & Diving - Gold
Photographer: Carel du Plessis
Image Title: Catching a breath
Award(s): Swimming & Diving - Gold
Description: Image taken at the XTERRA World Championship in Molveno, Italy. Photo features Henry Bramwell-Reeks, a Triathlete from the United Kingdom. This was taken during the swim leg of the full-distance triathlon on September 27th 2025
Tennis - Silver
Photographer: Joel Marklund
Image Title: All Light on Djokovic
Award(s): Tennis - Silver
Description: Novak Djokovic of Serbia during his match against Flavio Cobolli of Italy in the quarterfinals of men's singles on centre court during day ten of Wimbledon on July 9, 2025 in London, England.
Urban & Extreme - Gold
Photographer: Martin Bissig
Image Title: Klickflippin' India
Award(s): Urban & Extreme - Gold
Description: An athlete finds an improbable line, launching across the void of an ancient Jaipur stepwell.
Venues & Views - Gold
Photographer: Andrew Hancock
Image Title: Championship View
Award(s): Venues & Views - Gold
Description: A circular fisheye lens from above shows the scene as confetti falls from the circular video board atop Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the Ohio State Buckeyes rush the field to celebrate winning the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Winter Sports - Silver
Photographer: Claudia Greco
Image Title: FIS Freestyle World Championships - Women's Aerials in St Moritz
Award(s): Winter Sports - Silver
Description: Freestyle Skiing - FIS Freestyle World Championships - Women's Aerials - St Moritz, Switzerland - March 30, 2025 Australia's Danielle Scott during the warm up before the event REUTERS/Claudia Greco
. dpreview.com2026-1-16 21:55
