Rugby Photographer of the Year 2026 is a competition that celebrates the very best of rugby photography, both amateur and professional from across the globe, culminating in an exhibition at the World Rugby Museum at Allianz Stadium.

What is RPOTY?

Rugby Photographer of the Year 2026 is a competition in partnership with World Rugby Museum that celebrates the very best of rugby photography, both amateur and professional, from across the globe. Once again, the competition is culminating in an exhibition at the World Rugby Museum at the Allianz Stadium.

Last year’s competition saw more than 1,000 photographers enter from over 30 countries, all competing to have their work featured in an exhibition at the home of England Rugby. Rugby Photographer of the Year finalists have been viewed by millions of people at the World Rugby Museum.

Every shortlisted entry from all categories, chosen by our panel of expert judges from the worlds of rugby and photography, will appear. The overall winner will be announced at a special event hosted at the World Rugby Museum in 2026.

What are the prizes?

All shortlisted entries will have their work featured in an exhibition at the World Rugby Museum inside Allianz Stadium. They will also be invited to the exclusive awards evening at the World Rugby Museum, where the winners will be announced.

Once again, we are excited to share that our sponsors have generously gifted prizes, including a case of vibrant sparkling Nyetimber Rosé and 2x tickets to Wales v England in the 2027 Guinness Men's Six Nations, with a behind-the-scenes tour on matchday.

How to enter

Entries must have been taken between 1st January 2025 and 30th April 2026. You can enter your work on the Rugby Journal website at the link below.

Entries will close at 11:59pm on 8th May 2026, whereby our panel of experts will begin the judging process. Winners will be announced at the awards evening at the World Rugby Museum in Allianz Stadium.

Full rules of entry can be found here.

Enter here

What are the categories?

An image that celebrates the best of grassroots rugby. A new category for 2026.
Sponsored by Vodafone
Enter here
A celebration of the growth of the women’s game across the world. A new category for 2026.
Sponsored by Rhino
Enter here
Open to photographers aged seventeen years and under.
Sponsored by Premier Sports
Enter here
An image of any individual involved in the game: player, coach, volunteer or spectator.
Sponsored by Nyetimber
Enter here
A photograph that brings to life the split-second moments that embody the sport.
Sponsored by Keith Prowse
Enter here
An image from beyond the eighty minutes, that reflects the spirit of the game.
Sponsored by Rhino
Enter here
A picture that is as much about the setting as the game itself, that gives a sense of place.
Sponsored by World Rugby Museum
Enter here
A collection of up to ten images from different matches in the same season, reflecting a body of work.
Sponsored by Sporting Eric
Enter here