Webby Awards Season Explainer

WINNERS ANNOUNCED! Dive In
Honoring the Best
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The Webby Awards

Webby Awards Season Explainer

Thanks for participating in the 31st Annual Webby Awards! Below is a list of key dates, followed by an overview of what to expect during this season.

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KEY DATES

  • September 15, 2026: 31st Annual Webby Awards Call for Entry Open
  • October 30, 2026: Early Entry Deadline
  • Early April 2027: Webby Nominees Announced + People’s Voice Voting Opens
  • Late April 2027: Webby Winners Announced + People’s Voice Voting Closes
  • May 2027: 31st Annual Webby Awards Show

 

SEASON OVERVIEW: SEPTEMBER 2026 – MAY 2027

STEP 1:

Entering

Congratulations! Your work is now in the running to join three decades of Internet excellence in the Webby Gallery + Index. Take a breath, enjoy a pat on the back: Just by entering The Webby Awards, you’ve acknowledged that you and your team have created great work this year. Thanks for contributing to a better Internet.

STEP 2:

Judging Process

Judging for the 31st Annual Webby Awards officially starts in Fall 2026.

Tip: Double check your entries to make sure your links are live and videos are published. It makes the judging process smoother, and ensures your work is being seen in the best light.

You will be alerted via email when judging begins, among other updates, so make sure to keep denise@webbyawards.com on your preferred senders list to not miss any news.

Who judges The Webby Awards?

You have the honor of having your work seen by some of the Internet’s brightest minds and foremost luminaries in the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS): our +3,000-member Judging body, comprising individuals with expertise in one or more of our media types, like:

  • Jake Shane, Comedian, Digital Entertainer & Host at Therapuss
  • Jill Kramer, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Mastercard
  • Claudine Cheever, Chief Marketing Officer, Pinterest
  • Jason Kwon, Chief Strategy Officer, OpenAI
  • Jordan Chiles, Olympic Champion, Creator, & Advocate
  • Bill Simmons, Founder & CEO, The Ringer
  • Kim Larson, Managing Director, Head of Creator & Gaming, YouTube
  • Chris Bellinger, Chief Creative Officer, PepsiCo Foods U.S.
  • Jenny Storms, Chief Marketing Officer, NBCUniversal Television & Streaming
  • Jerret West, Chief Marketing Officer, Roblox
  • Josh Johnson, Comedian
  • Suzanne Philion, Chief Marketing Officer, Waymo
  • Amy Weisenbach, CMO, The New York Times
  • Tariq Hassan, Chief Marketing & Customer Growth Officer, Wendy’s

Read about the judging process here and judging criteria here, and see the full Academy at iadas.net.

Each category will have 5 Nominees selected, and eventually 2 Winners: The Webby Winner (chosen by our Academy), and The People’s Voice Winner (chosen by the public).

STEP 3:

Be Inspired

As a Webby entrant, you’re now a member of the Webby community. Welcome. We invite you to:

Discover the best of the internet. Check the Gallery + Index if you have an account. If not, you can sign up for one here.

Join us for the Webby Talks event series launching soon. Learn more here.

Take a deep dive into Webby and Internet history by catching up on our latest features including Winner Spotlights, Judge Insights, and more. 

STEP 4:

Nominee Announcement 

The 30th Annual Webby Nominees will be announced in April 2027. All entrants will be notified via email about their standing in this year’s Webby Awards. Nominees will also be announced in The Webby Awards newsletter, and on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. Keep up with us everywhere for updates and exclusives.

The Webby Nominee Announcement is also the start of The Webby People’s Voice Awards: a two-week voting period when millions of votes are cast from around the world for Webby Nominees. This is a period of massive exposure for your work and a chance to win one of two coveted Webby Awards in your category.

STEP 5:

Winner Announcement

The 30th Annual Webby Nominees will be announced April 2027. All Webby Nominees will be notified if they have won the Webby Award and/or the Webby People’s Voice Award in their category. Winners will also be announced in The Webby Awards newsletter, and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Keep up with us everywhere for updates and exclusives about Special Achievement honorees, host updates, and more.

STEP 6:

Celebrate Your Achievement

This is obviously cause for huge celebration. To be a Webby Winner is to be internationally recognized as the best of the Internet, and to receive what The New York Times calls “The Internet’s highest honor.”

Here are a few things to do now:

1. Start spreading the news: Winning a Webby Award is a big deal, so you’ll want to make the most of it. Don’t worry. We will have a ton of resources to help you take advantage of this opportunity when the time comes.

2. Start working on your Webby 5-Word Speech: the hallmark of every Webby Awards show, this is your chance to declare your passion for your project in only five words. Check out our helpful guide on how to craft your 5-Word Speech.

3. And get excited for the big show! Take a look at the 30th Annual Webby Awards Show here. 

 

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