Whether you\u2019re an independent creator, a branded podcast producer, a journalist, a fiction storyteller, a business podcaster, or a creator serving a specific community, podcast awards can help build credibility, attract new listeners, strengthen your media kit, and give your show something meaningful to promote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Winning an award is exciting, but even being nominated or shortlisted can be valuable. Award recognition can give you social proof for your website, podcast description, guest outreach, sponsorship conversations, email newsletter, and social channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below, we\u2019ve put together a list of podcast awards, audio awards, and creator recognition programs worth knowing about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Important note:<\/strong> Deadlines, entry fees, eligibility rules, locations, and categories can change. Before submitting, always check each award\u2019s official website for the latest information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These awards currently have 2026 deadlines or events that podcasters may still be able to act on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Signal Awards recognize standout podcasts, creators, and digital audio work across a wide range of categories. The awards celebrate shows and creators shaping culture through audio and video podcasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.signalaward.com\/<\/a> The Independent Podcast Awards celebrate independent creators from the UK and Ireland. These awards are designed for podcasters producing work outside of major network or studio systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/independentpodcastawards.com\/<\/a> The Podcast Tonight Awards recognize podcasts across categories including new shows and emerging voices, with judging based on criteria such as content quality, creativity, production value, host performance, and audience engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.podcasttonightawards.com\/enter<\/a> The HigherEd PodCon Awards recognize podcasting in the higher education space, including podcasts from colleges, universities, faculty, students, admissions teams, alumni teams, and education-focused creators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.higheredpodcon.com\/<\/a> Click here to learn more about podcast hosting for educators, students, and universities. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Sports Podcast Awards recognize excellence across sports podcasting, including commentary, interviews, sports business, fan culture, journalism, and analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.sportspodcastgroup.com\/<\/a> Click here to learn more about podcast hosting for sports podcasts.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The CLUE Awards recognize true crime storytelling across podcasts, television, books, and documentaries. This can be a strong fit for creators producing investigative, documentary, or narrative true crime content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.clueawards.com\/<\/a> The British Podcast Awards celebrate standout podcasts from the United Kingdom across a wide range of categories, including genre awards, craft awards, Podcast of the Year, and listener-voted recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.britishpodcastawards.com\/<\/a> The Canadian Podcast Awards recognize excellence in Canadian podcasting and digital audio. Categories typically span genres, production, artwork, performance, storytelling, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/canpodawards.ca\/<\/a> The Australian Podcast Awards recognize outstanding Australian podcasting across multiple categories, including storytelling, entertainment, journalism, business, comedy, true crime, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.australianpodcastawards.com\/<\/a> The National Podcast Awards Australia recognize Australian podcast creators and productions across multiple categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.nationalpodcastawardsau.com\/<\/a> The Asia Podcast Awards recognize podcast creators across Asia and the Pacific. The awards highlight excellence, innovation, and influence across podcasting categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/radiotoday.awardsplatform.com\/page\/WQrmAPdX<\/a> Premios Ondas Globales del Podcast is one of the leading awards programs for Spanish-language podcasting. It recognizes excellence across storytelling, production, format, performance, and audience impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/podcast.premiosondas.com\/<\/a> Premios Ondas is a broader international awards program recognizing excellence across radio, podcasting, music, and audiovisual work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/premiosondas.com\/en\/home-en-2026\/<\/a> The Latin Podcast Awards celebrate Hispanic, Latinx, and Spanish-language podcast creators, as well as creators who contribute to the growth and visibility of Latin podcasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/latinpodcastawards.com\/<\/a> The Japan Podcast Awards recognize standout Japanese-language podcasting through a jury-selected process. This can be an important recognition opportunity for creators producing work for Japanese-speaking audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.japanpodcastawards.com\/<\/a> Some major podcast awards have already closed their 2026 submission windows or held their 2026 events. They are still worth including because many return annually, and podcasters can use this list to prepare for the next submission cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Presented by The Podcast Academy, The Ambies recognize excellence in podcasting and audio storytelling across major categories including Podcast of the Year, documentary, interview, news, fiction, comedy, sports, business, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.ambies.com\/<\/a> The Webby Awards celebrate excellence across the internet, including podcasts, video, social media, apps, websites, and emerging digital formats. Podcast categories recognize both independent and professional productions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.webbyawards.com\/<\/a> The People\u2019s Choice Podcast Awards have historically been a listener-driven awards program where fans nominate and vote for their favorite shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.podcastawards.com\/<\/a> The Quill Podcast Awards recognize podcasters and podcast companies through a mix of public nominations, finalist voting, and expert judging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.quillpodcasting.com\/qpa\/quill-podcast-awards<\/a> The Publisher Podcast Awards recognize audio work created by publishing companies. The program is especially relevant for media companies, newsrooms, magazine publishers, B2B publishers, and editorial brands producing podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/publisherpodcasts.com\/<\/a> The Political Podcast Awards recognize UK political podcasts, including shows focused on interviews, journalism, commentary, public affairs, and political analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/politicalpodcastawards.co.uk\/<\/a> The Women\u2019s Podcasters Awards recognize women podcasters, producers, guests, and creators while helping build visibility and community within the podcasting space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.womenpodcasters.com\/awards<\/a> The Black Podcasting Awards celebrate Black podcasters and creators who are shaping the podcast industry, telling important stories, and amplifying diverse voices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/blackpodawards.com\/<\/a> The International Women\u2019s Podcast Awards celebrate women and non-binary podcast creators around the world. The awards recognize excellence across multiple roles, genres, and creative contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/everybody-media.com\/awards\/<\/a> Some awards are not podcast-only programs, but they include podcast, audio, journalism, branded content, or digital storytelling categories. These can be especially valuable for journalists, branded podcasts, audio producers, agencies, nonprofits, and shows with strong production value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The New York Festivals Radio Awards recognize audio storytelling, radio, and podcast work from around the world. Categories often include documentary, news, entertainment, narrative, and branded audio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/radiohome.newyorkfestivals.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Third Coast recognizes exceptional audio storytelling, including documentary, narrative, experimental, and first-person audio work. Podcasts with strong storytelling, reporting, or documentary craft may be a good fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.thirdcoastfestival.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Edward R. Murrow Awards recognize excellence in journalism and include categories that may apply to digital audio and podcast reporting. These awards are especially relevant for newsroom-backed, investigative, documentary, or public-service journalism podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.rtdna.org\/awards\/murrow<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Online Journalism Awards recognize excellence in digital journalism, including audio storytelling and podcast reporting. This can be a strong opportunity for podcasts produced by journalists, newsrooms, nonprofit media organizations, or independent investigative teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/awards.journalists.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gracies recognize outstanding programming created by, for, and about women across television, radio, digital media, and podcasts. Podcast categories can include entertainment, news, lifestyle, interview, and storytelling formats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/allwomeninmedia.org\/gracies\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Anthem Awards recognize purpose-driven work across areas such as health, education, human rights, sustainability, diversity, equity, and community service. Podcasts with a clear social impact, advocacy, education, or mission-driven focus may be a fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.anthemawards.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Shorty Impact Awards recognize campaigns and content that drive positive change. Podcasts connected to advocacy, nonprofit work, education, public service, or cause-based storytelling may be eligible depending on the category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/shortyawards.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cannes Lions recognizes excellence in creative marketing and advertising. Branded podcasts, audio campaigns, and podcast-driven brand storytelling may be eligible in relevant audio, entertainment, or branded content categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.canneslions.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n D&AD recognizes excellence in design, advertising, and creative communication. Podcast-related work may be relevant when it intersects with branded audio, campaign storytelling, sound design, or creative production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.dandad.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Radio Mercury Awards recognize audio advertising, including radio and audio campaigns. While not a traditional podcast award, this may be relevant for branded podcast campaigns, audio ads, and creative commercial audio work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.radiomercuryawards.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not every podcast recognition opportunity works like a traditional award with submissions, judging, and deadlines. Some are based on platform data, editorial selection, milestones, or funding support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund helps independent BIPOC, Queer, and Trans audio producers cover submission fees for media and journalism awards, as well as registration fees for training and professional development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.podcastingseriously.com\/fund<\/a> Apple Podcasts\u2019 Show of the Year is an editorial recognition rather than a traditional open-submission award. Podcasters generally do not enter it the same way they would submit to a judged awards program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Website:<\/strong> https:\/\/podcasters.apple.com\/<\/a> Spotify may recognize podcasts through regional awards, audience data, editorial programs, or milestone-based achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Upcoming Podcast Awards Still Open in 2026<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Signal Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> 2026 entries are currently open.
2026 deadline:<\/strong> Final Entry Deadline is June 26, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIndependent Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> 2026 entries are currently open.
2026 deadline:<\/strong> Entries close June 8, 2026.
2026 event:<\/strong> Winners and nominees will be celebrated November 4, 2026 at Kings Place.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPodcast Tonight Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> 2026 entries are currently open.
2026 deadline:<\/strong> October 31, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHigherEd PodCon Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> 2026 event upcoming.
2026 date:<\/strong> July 16\u201317, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSports Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for 2026 updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCLUE Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for 2026 updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBritish Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for 2026 updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCanadian Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for 2026 updates.
Typical timing:<\/strong> November.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAustralian Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for 2026 updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNational Podcast Awards Australia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for 2026 updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAsia Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for the next entry window.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPremios Ondas Globales del Podcast<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for 2026 updates.
Typical timing:<\/strong> November.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPremios Ondas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for 2026 updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLatin Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for 2026 updates.
Typical timing:<\/strong> October.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJapan Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for future award announcements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Podcast Awards to Watch for Next Year<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Ambies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> 2026 submissions are closed.
Next step:<\/strong> Watch for the next submission window from The Podcast Academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Webby Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> 2026 awards have already taken place.
Next step:<\/strong> Watch for the next entry window.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPeople\u2019s Choice Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for updates before listing as an active awards opportunity.
Next step:<\/strong> Check the official website for the latest award status.<\/p>\n\n\n\nQuill Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> 2026 nominations and finalist voting are closed.
Next step:<\/strong> Watch for the next nomination period.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPublisher Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> 2026 entries are closed.
Next step:<\/strong> Watch for the 2027 entry window.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPolitical Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> 2026 event has passed.
Next step:<\/strong> Watch for the next awards cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWomen\u2019s Podcasters Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> 2026 event has passed or is no longer actionable after May 25, 2026.
Next step:<\/strong> Watch for the next nomination or voting period.
Click here to see the top podcasts for women. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nBlack Podcasting Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for the next awards cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\nInternational Women\u2019s Podcast Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Watch for the next awards cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Audio, Journalism, Advertising, and Social Impact Awards That Include Podcasts<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
New York Festivals Radio Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Third Coast International Audio Festival Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Edward R. Murrow Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Online Journalism Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Gracies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Anthem Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shorty Impact Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cannes Lions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
D&AD Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Radio Mercury Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Rolling, Milestone, or Non-Traditional Podcast Recognition<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Ongoing \/ rolling support opportunity.
Best for:<\/strong> Independent creators who need help covering award submission fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\nApple Podcasts Show of the Year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status:<\/strong> Platform\/editorial recognition.
Best for:<\/strong> Awareness of major industry recognition, not direct submission planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpotify Podcast Recognition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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