The long-running World Press Photo Contest is now open for entries. It’s your opportunity to share your powerful storytelling and scroll stopping images, and gain the chance to win the prestigious award. Here are all the details you need to know in order to prepare your entry, plus some tips on how to be successful.
Submissions are open between now and the 17th January 2026. It’s free to enter and selected winners will each receive €1000 (around $1170 USD), with the grand winner receiving €10,000 (around $11,720 USD). Fujifilm cameras, photobook publication and a winners event is also up for grabs.
Entering World Press Photo Contest 2026
The contest is open to professional photographers only, and you must be able to validate your work. This can be through a press card or one of the following…
- at least 1 proof of publication (for example a tearsheet) from 2024 or 2025, with your name visible as credit, in either online or print format from a recognized media organization or publication;
- journalism union membership card;
- membership document from a recognized photographic association that shows the photographer is a professional member;
- a recent letter of reference (must be from 2024 or 2025) from a photo agency, photo editor, media organization or publication, stating you have worked for them as a photographer.
Photographers must take single image entries in 2025, create stories between 2024 and 2025, and develop long-term projects over three different years with at least six images taken in 2025.
The competition separates initial judging into six regions around the world: Africa, Asia-Pacific and Oceania, Europe, North and Central America, South America, and West, Central, and South Asia.
Each region will have its own dedicated judging panel, and the judges will send successful entries to a global panel to select the overall winners. Photo industry professionals make up the judging panels.
Enter World Press Photo 2026 Contest.
A Note From Joumana El Zein Khoury
World Press Photo’s Executive Director, Joumana El Zein Khoury, had this to say on the 2026 contest:
“…Our annual Contest is more than a competition, it’s a global invitation to document and share stories that need to be heard. We welcome submissions from every corner of the world, across all themes and topics — including the wonder of nature or the challenges of the climate crisis, incredible athletic feats, or stories of human resilience and courage. We look forward to receiving your work, and to amplifying the diverse voices and powerful images that help us better understand the world we live in”.
Related: World Press at 70: Reflecting on Legacy for a Bolder Future
Why Enter World Press Photo Contest 2026?
Awards to one side, World Press Photo offers a platform for you to tell the stories you care about the most. With a global reach of millions, your work can help drive change, raise awareness and educate society on specific circumstances happening around the world.
Last year’s overall winner, Samar Abu Elouf, achieved recognition through her heartbreaking portrait of Mahmoud Ajjour, a nine year old boy who had lost both arms after a strike by Israeli forces.
In an interview with World Press Photo, Elouf said:
“…I’m very happy that my photograph was able to reach the entire world. Although the situation in Gaza remains very difficult…I wanted to find something to do for those seeking refuge and I wanted to tell their story.”
The contest is of course an opportunity to elevate your career, and if successful this can open the door to you being able to tell more stories and drive more change.
Related: 17 Powerful Images from the World Press Photo 2025 Awards
Tips for Entering
Take your time preparing your entry. Sit through your work and become extremely analytical about each frame. If you’re submitting a series or long term project, don’t just submit the best photographs, rather, ask yourself which collective of images tells the best story?
Don’t underestimate the power of good captions. Judges don’t just look at the images, they also want to see how well you can communicate them through captions and descriptions. Remember, photojournalism is about facts, and your captions should reflect this.
Trusting your judgement is important, but don’t be too proud to seek opinion before making your submission. Speak to your trusted peers and try to gain some third party insight into your work. You don’t have to run with their advice, but it’s a good way for you to think deeper about your entry.
For full details and to enter your work, visit the World Press Photo Website.
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