Rugby Photographer of the Year 2026 winners revealed
In front of a packed World Rugby Museum audience at Allianz Stadium, the winners of the 2026 Rugby Photographer of the Year were announced last night.
The competition, run by award-winning print quarterly Rugby Journal, attracted more than 3,500 entries, with entrants submitting over 7,000 images across eight categories. As well as announcing Bronze, Silver and Gold for each category, there was also a Grand Prix winner, with every shortlisted entry appearing in a year-long exhibition at the World Rugby Museum.
Such is the growing status of the competition, photographers travelled from across the world to attend, with nominees arriving from Brazil, America, Mexico, France, Belgium and Germany. “Rugby Photographer of the Year has reached incredible new levels, truly painting a portrait of the rugby world around us,” said Alex Mead, Editor-in-Chief of Rugby Journal. “The judges were overwhelmed by the incredible standard of entries, which meant even reaching the shortlist was an incredible achievement.”
The winners represented the global game at all levels…
Grassroots, sponsored by Vodafone, was won by Andrew White with his picture of players coming out at Stockwood Park RFC, Silver was secured by Australian-based French photographer Anna-Laure and Bronze by Jacob Bird of Pontyclun RFC.
Action, sponsored by Keith Prowse, was won by New Zealand’s Blake Armstrong with his striking image of Moana Pasifika's Tom Savage and the Highlanders’ Oliver Haig colliding under the roof at Forsyth Barr stadium. Silver was taken by Australian Holly Hope and Bronze by Germany’s Martin Schneider.
Landscape, sponsored by World Rugby Museum, was won by Adrian Frost with his image of grassroots rugby in South Africa, with a backdrop of Table Mountain. Cara Williams captured Sheppey RFC to win Silver, with Bronze awarded to Romain Perrocheau for his sunset show of Bordeaux v Montpellier.
Spirit, sponsored by Kamado Joe, was won by Ryan Pierse with his famous shot of the Allianz Stadium’s South Stand at the Rugby World Cup final. Silver was Nicola Selim Babauglu for their image of Italy celebrating a Six Nations win over England. Bronze went to American Kyle Helson.
Portrait, sponsored by Nyetimber, was won by American photographer Nina Fishman, capturing a player with his face half-buried in the grass. Silver was English photographer Russ Williams’ portrayal of Plymouth Albion’s Rhys Williams, and Bronze another entry from France, Sebastien Bellaval.
Women’s, sponsored by Rhino, was won by French photographer Aubin Lipke, with Silver secured by Billy Stickland for England’s post-World Cup win celebrations, and Bronze by Nick Elliott.
Young, sponsored by Premier Sports, was won by Hong Kong’s Hadrian Yip, with English photographer Harry Monahan taking Silver and Finlay Addis securing Bronze.
Portfolio, sponsored by Sporting Eric, was won by Fred Ellis with his unique portrayal of the England team. Silver was Alice Gough, who covered the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and Bronze was Samuel Simpson-Pattison.
The Grand Prix award for overall best rugby photograph was secured by Blake Armstrong, with judges saying his image, ‘was completely unique, displaying excellent technique, creativity and instinct in equal measure, it’s a picture rich in stories’.
All shortlisted images appear in the new edition of the Rugby Journal, which can be ordered via therugbyjournal.com/subscribe.
The exhibition at the World Rugby Museum is open now.
