Submissions are now open for the 2026 ADWEEK Experiential Awards.
Now in its 8th year, the Experiential Awards honor the bold ideas driving the future of experiential marketing. From immersive pop-ups to large-scale events, the winning campaigns are reinventing how brands connect with audiences genuinely IRL, while achieving tangible business results.
Last year’s winners include Ben & Jerry’s, Netflix, Nike, and Pinterest.
ADWEEK is accepting entries in the following categories:
- Experiential Activation Less Than $1 Million
- Experiential Activation Over $1 Million
- Experiential Activation by Auto Brand
- Experiential Activation by Retail Brand
- Experiential Activation by Technology Brand
- Experiential Activation by a Media Brand
- Experiential Activation by a Packaged Goods Brand
- Experiential Activation by an Entertainment Brand
- Experiential Activation by a Spirits or Alcoholic Beverage Brand
- Experiential Activation by a Beverage Brand
- Experiential Activation by a Travel Brand
- Best Use of Mobile in an Experiential Activation
- Best Use of Video in an Experiential Activation
- Best Use of Data Insights in an Experiential Activation
- Best Use of Out-of-Home Media in an Experiential Activation
- Best Use of Social Media in an Experiential Activation
- Best Use of Celebrity in an Experiential Activation
- Best Use of Music/Audio in an Experiential Activation
- Best Use of Partnership in an Experiential Activation
- Best Use of Influencers in an Experiential Activation
- Best Use of Experiential Activation to Launch a Brand/Product
- Best Sports-Related Experiential Activation
- Best Community-Focused Experiential Activation
- Best International Experiential Activation
- Best Event in Support of Diversity and Inclusion
- Best Cause-Related Experiential Activation
- Best Consumer Activation
- Best Event for Professional Development
- Experiential Agency of the Year
- Experiential Brand of the Year
- Experiential Executive of the Year
Key Dates & Fees
Early Bird Deadline: $495 until July 10, 2026
Standard Deadline: $595 until August 7, 2026
Extended Deadline: $695 until September 4, 2026 at 11:59pm PST
Note: If submitting multiple entries, additional submissions are $300 each.
All entries must be submitted through the official submission portal HERE.
A shortlist will be announced by the end of October and the final winners will be published in the December issue of ADWEEK.
For any questions or extension requests, please contact pj.bernacki@adweek.com.
