THE LEADERS SPORTS AWARDS CATEGORIES

The Activation award celebrates the most outstanding standalone projects, campaigns or initiatives in sport – from sponsorship activity to hospitality offerings to community projects. It recognises not only the work itself but the individuals and teams who bring these ideas to life.

The Deal of the Year award celebrates the most impactful partnership in global sport, recognising not only the agreement itself but the individuals and teams who negotiated, shaped and activated it. Open to sponsorships, investments, strategic alliances and cross‑industry collaborations, this award honours deals that have delivered meaningful progress between January 2025 and July 2026.

To be eligible, the deal must have been signed and activation must have begun within this period, even if the partnership is ongoing.

This category highlights partnerships that combine strategic clarity with innovative deal structures, strong leadership and early activation success. Nominees will have demonstrated exceptional collaboration across organisations, delivered measurable commercial or audience impact and shown clear potential for long‑term value creation. Judges will also look for partnerships that influence the wider industry, set new standards or unlock new opportunities for fans, brands or rights holders.

Reflecting the Leaders Sports Awards’ values of credibility, global relevance and high‑level excellence, the Deal of the Year celebrates the people behind the partnership: the negotiators, strategists, executives and operators whose vision and expertise have shaped one of the most significant deals in sport over the past 12 months.

Please note, The Leader of the Year: Deal & Leader of the Year: CEO are not open for entries, but nominations are welcome via the Leaders editorial team.

The Venue award celebrates the world’s most outstanding sports venues and, crucially, the leadership teams and individuals who make them exceptional.

Recognising achievements between January 2025 to July 2026, this category honours venues that have delivered world‑class events, elevated the fan experience and demonstrated operational excellence at every level.

This award highlights not only the physical venue but the executives, managers and operational teams whose decisions, innovation and leadership drive its success. Nominees will have showcased exceptional event delivery, embraced new technologies, strengthened commercial performance and contributed meaningfully to the global sports industry.

Judges will also look for venues that prioritise sustainability, community impact and inclusive experiences for fans, athletes and partners.

Reflecting the Leaders Sports Awards’ values of credibility, global relevance and high‑level excellence, the Venue award recognises organisations that set new standards for what a modern sports venue can achieve. The winner will be a venue – and a leadership team – that has demonstrated vision, innovation and impact, leaving a lasting mark on the sports industry over the past 12 months.

The Marketer award celebrates the most outstanding marketing leader in global sport, recognising individuals whose creativity, strategic thinking and leadership have set new standards across the industry.

This award honours those who have delivered exceptional marketing impact January 2025 to July 2026. It is open to marketers working at rights holders, brands, broadcasters, tech companies, agencies and other organisations with an active role in the sports industry, targeting B2C or B2B audiences.

This category highlights leaders who combine strategic clarity with creative excellence, using insight, innovation and cultural understanding to drive meaningful audience engagement. Nominees will have demonstrated strong leadership, effective collaboration and the ability to influence both internal teams and external partners.

Judges will also look for marketers who have delivered measurable commercial results, strengthened brand equity and contributed to the long‑term growth of their organisation.

Reflecting the Leaders Sports Awards’ values of credibility, global relevance and high‑level excellence, the Marketer of the Year award recognises individuals who elevate the role of marketing within sport. The winner will be a marketer whose work has not only delivered outstanding results but has shaped the direction of the industry over the past 12 months.

The CEO award celebrates exceptional leadership at the highest level of the global sports industry. This category honours a CEO who has demonstrated outstanding strategic vision, delivered significant organisational success and made a measurable impact on the wider world of sport.

Recognising performance across the period January 2025 to July 2026, this award highlights leaders who have driven meaningful commercial growth, expanded their organisation’s global footprint and championed innovation, whether through new technologies, fan experiences or business models. It also acknowledges CEOs who have shaped industry conversations, influenced international developments and navigated complex global challenges with clarity and authority.

Beyond performance, the category reflects the Leaders Sports Awards’ core values of credibility, global relevance and high‑level excellence.

Nominees will have fostered strong organisational cultures, prioritised diversity and inclusion, upheld the highest standards of governance and demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

The CEO of the Year stands as a role model for the industry: a leader whose achievements over the past 12 months have not only strengthened their organisation but also contributed to the long‑term advancement of sport more broadly.

Please note, The Leader of the Year: Deal & Leader of the Year: CEO are not open for entries, but nominations are welcome via the Leaders editorial team.

This award is for the behind-the-scenes operator and influencer who is helping to shape an organisation and the industry, away from the limelight and headlines.

Who should enter this award?

Individuals operating in human resources, IT, legal, production, client services, business intelligence, ticketing or other back-of-house departments.

The Leaders Under 40 Award returns, on a mission to identify and recognise exceptional individuals under the age of 40 who are propelling the sports industry forward.

This award is for those executives aged under 40 who have made a personal tangible impact on the industry with clearly identifiable outcomes as a result of their leadership and work.

Previous Leaders Under 40 recipients may enter again – however the entry must be different to any previous entries and will only enter into the Class of 2026 process if their impact over the past 12 months has been significant.