Global submissions rising fast as AIPS Sport Media Awards enter decisive phase
LAUSANNE, September 1, 2025 - We are now entering the decisive phase of the AIPS Sport Media Awards 2025, the eight edition of the most prestigious prize in the world of sports journalism. Media professionals from every continent are invited to present their best written, photography, audio or video production. Previous participants or first-time entrants, members and non-members of AIPS, employees or freelancers, this is the moment to join a global showcase of excellence in sports storytelling!
In the last edition, the Awards received over 2,000 submissions from 136 countries, reflecting the breadth and quality of sports media worldwide. Entries spanned from opinion columns and feature writing to portfolios, documentaries, investigations and audio productions. Each year, this diversity underlines the Awards' role as the most international platform for sports journalism, highlighting stories that inspire, inform and innovate.
REALLY UNIVERSAL Accepting works in all languages, the Awards are evaluated each year through a rigorous process that includes five judging phases. More than 40 top professionals from the world of media take part in these evaluations, ensuring that every entry is reviewed with fairness, expertise and attention to detail. The jury of twelve respected professionals, chaired by AIPS President Gianni Merlo, leads the final phase and decides on the winners. This structure guarantees transparency and credibility across all categories.
The most recent ceremony took place in Rabat, Morocco—the first time the event was hosted in Africa—highlighting the global reach and inclusivity of the Awards. In 2026, the Awards will return to Lausanne, Switzerland, the city where the first edition was held, bringing the ceremony back to its roots in one of world sport’s symbolic homes and the home of the International Sports Press Association.
PARTICIPATE NOW Submissions are open for work published or broadcast between 5 November 2024 and 4 November 2025. The weeks ahead are crucial to avoid the final rush, ensuring your stories, images or productions are properly submitted and reviewed by the AIPS Media staff before deadline, thus avoiding mistakes and material missing.
The Awards accept work across all formats and platforms, with categories spanning writing, photography, audio and video. By entering, each participant contribute to a growing archive of sports journalism that honours creativity, accuracy and impact.
VALUE OF RECOGNITION Every year, winners across categories receive cash prizes of US $5,000 for first place, US $3,000 for second, and US $2,000 for third. Beyond the financial awards, finalists and shortlisted candidates benefit from global exposure through the AIPS network, reaching audiences and colleagues worldwide.
However, recognition does not only belong to those on the podium. All shortlisted work is included in the Awards archive, ensuring that it is preserved and celebrated as part of the profession’s collective memory. To be included in this archive is, in itself, a significant achievement that reflects the value of the journalist’s work.
The growing impact of the Continental Rankings, published shortly after the final ceremony, also highlight how important is to reach the final stages on a regional level.
YOUNG REPORTERS AND NEW VOICES The Young Reporters categories are especially important for AIPS. Reserved for professionals under 30, these categories spotlight emerging storytellers shaping the future of sports journalism. Winners in Writing, Photography and Broadcasting receive scholarships to major sporting events, offering invaluable experience and visibility.
The shortlisted works are also featured and analysed in the prestigious AIPS Young Reporters Programmes, allowing the new generation to learn from real examples and the very best every year.
SPECIAL MENTIONS AND GLOBAL THEMES Special Mentions are awarded to entries that stand out for addressing key societal issues in sport—such as gender equality, mental health, fair play or the fight against discrimination. They underline that the Awards value not just technical excellence, but also relevance, courage and responsibility in journalism.
By celebrating such themes, the Awards encourage professionals to tackle topics of global significance and broaden the impact of sports media.
EXPANDED CERTIFICATES The 2024 edition also set the milestone of over 2,000 personalised certificates sent, celebrating for the first time all the participants that reached the longlist (about 30 percent of the total), the ones that reached the shorlist (15 percent of the total), the Top 10 for each category (110), the Top 10 for each category in the continental rankings and the Special Mentions.
The 2025 edition will be the first one featuring continental special mentions, thus enlarging our commitment to the cornerstone values of AIPS.
SUBMISSIONS OPEN! If you have never participated, you’ll need to register and then upload your work in the Awards platform. https://aipsawards.com/sma/register
If you participated in any of the previous editions, then you’ll need to sign-in or recover your password if you have forgotten it. https://aipsawards.com/sma/
For any technical assistance, you can contact us on AIPS Awards social media channels (aipsawards) or by email to info@aipsawards.com.
All Rules and categories are available in the AIPS Sport Media Awards website, www.aipsawards.com