The ADCE Awards, one of Europe’s most prestigious competitions celebrating excellence in creativity and design, enters its 35th edition with significant updates designed to broaden participation and better reflect the evolving creative landscape.
Organized by Art Directors Club Europe (ADCE), the awards recognize and celebrate the most outstanding work in advertising, design, and creative communication across Europe, elevating local achievements to a continental stage.
Expanded Eligibility Opens the Door to More Creative Talent
For the first time in the history of the ADCE Awards, eligibility has been extended beyond award-winning projects.
Beginning in 2026, creative professionals, agencies, brands, and organizations that have participated in eligible national and regional competitions across Europe may submit their work, regardless of whether their projects received an award.
This important change allows a broader range of creative work from across the continent to be evaluated and recognized by one of Europe’s leading creative institutions.
Entries are open to participants from competitions organized by ADCE member clubs, as well as selected competitions that meet ADCE’s eligibility criteria. The final deadline for submissions is 25 September 2026.
New Discipline: Creativity by Industry Sectors
One of the most significant additions to the 2026 program is the introduction of a new discipline: Creativity by Industry Sectors.
The discipline evaluates creative excellence within the context of specific industries, recognizing not only the quality of creative execution but also the unique business, cultural, and strategic challenges faced within each sector.
Categories include:
- Consumer Goods
- Health Care
- Automotive & Mobility
- Finance, Insurance & Retail
- Technology & Media
- Travel, Leisure, Hospitality & Education
- Entertainment & Culture
- Sports
New Categories Reflect the Evolution of Creativity
The 2026 edition introduces several new categories that acknowledge emerging creative practices and the growing intersection between creativity, technology, and experience design.
New categories include:
- Creative Data
- Multi-Platform Experience
- Innovative Use of Technology
- Gaming
- Technological Craft
- Creative Strategy
- Brand-Led Projects
- B2B and Collaboration
In addition, a new Local Insight category has been introduced across all disciplines. This category celebrates work inspired by local cultures, communities, and regional perspectives, reinforcing ADCE’s commitment to showcasing the diversity of European creativity.
Final Jury Sessions and ADCE Creative Week
The judging process will take place across three rounds. The first two rounds will be conducted online, while the final jury sessions will be held in person during ADCE Creative Week, taking place in Barcelona in November.
As in previous years, the final jury sessions will remain open to the public, offering attendees a unique opportunity to observe the discussions and decision-making process that determine the competition’s highest honors, including the Grand Prix and Special Awards.
The winners of the ADCE Awards 2026 will be announced during the ADCE Awards Gala on 20 November 2026.
In addition to the awards ceremony, ADCE Creative Week will feature conferences, exhibitions, workshops, networking events, and the ADCE Student Awards, bringing together creative professionals and emerging talent from across Europe.
Recognition Beyond Europe
As part of The One Club for Creativity, ADCE plays an important role within the global creative ecosystem.
Work recognized at the ADCE Awards contributes points toward the Global Creative Rankings, one of the industry’s most respected international benchmarking systems. Through this connection, winning projects gain visibility not only across Europe but also within the broader global creative community.
Entering its 35th year, the ADCE Awards continues to evolve, creating a more inclusive platform that reflects the diversity, innovation, and ambition of contemporary European creativity.
Apply for the ADCE Awards
As the official representative of Art Directors Club Europe (ADCE) and The One Club for Creativity in Türkiye, ADC*T provides its members with access to some of the world’s most respected creative competitions, educational opportunities, and professional networks.
The ADCE Awards offer agencies, brands, designers, creative teams, and independent professionals a unique opportunity to showcase their work on one of Europe’s most prestigious creative stages and gain international recognition.
With the expansion of eligibility criteria in 2026, there has never been a better opportunity for Türkiye’s creative community to present its ideas, craftsmanship, and innovation to a wider European audience. Success at the ADCE Awards not only brings prestige across Europe but also contributes to greater global visibility through The One Club’s Global Creative Rankings.
ADC*T members interested in participating in the ADCE Awards 2026 are encouraged to contact our team for guidance regarding eligibility, categories, submission requirements, and the application process.
For further information and submission support: adct@adct.org.tr
