The British Podcast Awards are marking their tenth anniversary with two new categories and an expanded judging process, as entries open for the 2026 ceremony.
Returning to Indigo at The O2 on 1st October 2026, the awards will once again celebrate the shows, voices and teams shaping British podcasting — from independent creators to established networks. After a record-breaking 2025 event, which saw more than 85,000 listeners vote in the Listeners’ Choice Award, the organisers say the format has firmly embedded itself in British cultural life.
To reflect how podcasting has grown and diversified, two new awards have been introduced. The Amplifier, an Editor’s Choice award, will recognise podcasts with exceptional reach, influence and cultural impact, open to shows achieving more than 300,000 downloads per episode. A new Food & Drink genre category has also been added, acknowledging the rise of podcasts that put cooking, eating and drinking at the centre of their storytelling.
The 2026 awards will span 33 categories across genres, formats, people and teams — ranging from Fiction and True Crime to Best Host, Rising Star and Video Innovation — culminating in the Podcast of the Year Grand Prix.
There are also changes behind the scenes. This year introduces an updated judging structure designed to deepen peer-led evaluation, with previous finalists invited to nominate team members to join the longlist judging panels alongside lead judges. Podcasters interested in judging can also self-nominate.
The British Podcast Awards will continue to offer discounted entry fees for freelancers, charities and small production companies, who make up the majority of the sector. Support will also remain available through the Podcasting Seriously Fund, which helps independent BIPOC, Queer and Trans creators cover entry costs.
The first entry deadline is 30th April 2026, with submissions now open via the British Podcast Awards website.
