World Sports Photography Awards 2027
Sponsored by Canon, the World Sports Photography Awards are free to enter across 24 sports categories. The 2027 edition opened on 9 September 2026 and closes on 23 November 2026 at 11.59 PM on Picter; each entrant may submit up to 10 images taken between December 2025 and November 2026. The 2026 winners were announced on 15 January 2026, with Edgar Su's Carlos' Shadow Hits A Ball the overall winner. The rules keep their precise AI taxonomy: AI generation is banned, generative fill triggers automatic disqualification, AI upscalers such as Adobe Super Resolution and Topaz Photo AI are prohibited because they introduce new information, while limited Denoise and automatic adjustments remain permitted. RAW files are not mentioned.
- Deadline
- November 23, 2026
- Entry fee
- Free entrySee all free photo contests 2026
- Opens
- September 9, 2026
Authenticity policy
AI policy
All images entries must be created with a camera; no synthetic or AI-generated images are allowed, and using AI-powered generative fill will result in automatic disqualification from the awards. Limited use of tools like Denoise, automatic adjustments (e.g., levels, colours, contrast), and object selection for local adjustments is allowed within certain limits, determined by the judges. However, AI-powered enlarging tools, such as Adobe Super Resolution or Topaz Photo AI, are prohibited as they introduce new information to the image.
RAW files
Not specified
Editing rules
Limited Denoise, automatic adjustments and object selection for local adjustments are permitted within limits set by the judges. AI-powered enlargers (Adobe Super Resolution, Topaz Photo AI) are explicitly banned because they introduce new information to the image, an unusually precise framing. Adding, removing or moving elements, compositing from multiple frames or using AI-based generative tools leads to disqualification. RAW files are not mentioned in the rules.
Verified on November 7, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- Does World Sports Photography Awards 2027 allow AI-generated images?
- No. World Sports Photography Awards 2027 does not permit AI-generated images in its competition entries.
- When is the World Sports Photography Awards 2027 entry deadline?
- Entries for World Sports Photography Awards 2027 close on November 23, 2026.
- How much does it cost to enter World Sports Photography Awards 2027?
- World Sports Photography Awards 2027 is free to enter.
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