World Sports Photography Awards 2026
Sponsored by Canon, the World Sports Photography Awards run free entry across 24 sports categories with photos taken between December 2024 and November 2025. The 2026 rules are notable for their precise AI taxonomy: AI generation is banned, AI-powered generative fill triggers automatic disqualification, AI upscalers like Adobe Super Resolution and Topaz Photo AI are prohibited specifically because they 'introduce new information to the image', but limited Denoise and automatic adjustments remain permitted. The framing helps photographers understand exactly which tools are on the wrong side of the line.
- Deadline
- November 24, 2025
- Entry fee
- Free entry
Authenticity policy
AI policy
All image 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. 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. AI-powered enlargers (Adobe Super Resolution, Topaz Photo AI) are explicitly banned because they 'introduce new information to the image' — an unusually precise framing.
Verified on June 8, 2026