CELEBRATE 20 YEARS WITH US: 2026 COMPETITION OPENS 19.01
Celebrating its 20th year this year, the annual Pentawards competition recognises the best of the best in global packaging design, with entries judged by an incredible selection of more than 50 experts from brands and agencies like Coca-Cola, Pentagram, Tom Ford Beauty and Kendo Brands.
Since its launch in 2007, it has received more than 36,000 applications from more than 95 countries around the world.
Register your interest below to receive updates on the 2026 competition - including our Jury, categories, pricing, and more.
IMPORTANT DATES & NEXT STEPS
| 19 January | 2026 Competition Opens |
| 27 March | 2026 Competition Closes |
| April | Deadline for editing submissions |
| May | Round One Results (private) |
| July | Shortlist announcement |
| July | Round Two Results (private) |
ENTRY FEES
The 2026 competition will open on 19 January with an exclusive launch rate of €345!
€345
Launch Rate
19 - 23 January
€395
Super Early Bird
26 - 30 January
€445
Early Bird
2 - 13 February
€495
Regular Entry
16 February - 6 March
€545
Last Chance
9 - 27 March
You can make additional savings with the following bundle offers:
+1 FREE
Bundle Offer
When you buy 5
(tot. 6 entries)
+2 FREE
Bundle offer
When you buy 10
(tot. 12 entries)
+3 FREE
Bundle Offer
When you buy 15
(tot. 18 entries)
For more details on our bundle deals and to get your discount code, please email info@pentawards.org. Bundle deals are available to both professionals and students.
INTERNATIONAL JURY
Our international jury is made up of individuals of the highest calibre in packaging design and colourfully represents the global spectrum of packaging. It includes experts from Xiaomi, Jägermeister, LEGO, Pentagram, JKR and more.
Year after year, this eclectic group of over 50 individuals from countries all over the world are faced with the task of reaching a unanimous decision on which packaging designs will have truly universal appeal and should be recognised with the international Pentawards distinction.
FEEDBACK ON YOUR ENTRIES
When you submit your entry with Pentawards, we wanted to ensure you get more – even if you don’t win.
After such a brilliant response last year, we will continue with exclusive written feedback directly from the jury if your work is not shortlisted . This means you’ll get a deeper understanding around what the jury were impressed by, and where they felt improvements can be made to help propel your work in the future.
Thanks to the Pentawards Excellence Score, all entries submitted into the Pentawards competition receive feedback on their entry. The Pentawards Excellence Score includes:
- The entry’s score for each judging criteria
- The design’s overall score based on the judging criteria
- How that design compared to other entries in that subcategory (in each criteria)
- The score that the pack would have needed to be shortlisted
Award levels
- An opportunity to nominate an individual to become a member of the Pentawards International Jury for a year
- One sought-after Diamond trophy, free of charge
- One official Pentawards distinction certificate, free of charge
- Your winning work published in our next design book
- The winning design will be presented in the global online Winners’ Gallery
- Global exposure across mainstream and industry media
- One esteemed Platinum trophy, free of charge
- One official Pentawards distinction certificate, free of charge
- Your winning work published in our next design book
- The winning design will be presented in the global online Winner's Gallery
- Global exposure across mainstream and industry media
- The opportunity to purchase a Gold trophy
- One official Pentawards distinction certificate
- Your winning work published in our next design book
- Global exposure across mainstream and industry media
- Featured in the online global Winner's Gallery
- The opportunity to purchase a Silver trophy
- One official Pentawards distinction certificate
- Your winning work published in our next design book
- Global exposure across mainstream and industry media
- Featured in the online global Winner's Gallery
- The opportunity to purchase a Bronze trophy
- One official Pentawards distinction certificate
- Your winning work published in our next design book
- Global exposure across mainstream and industry media
- Featured in the online global Winner's Gallery
With less than 20% of entries receiving a Pentawards, getting the global recognition of packaging design excellence has a profound effect on those fortunate enough to receive it.
Those from the international packaging community thinking of entering will not want to miss the opportunity to enter the 2026 Pentawards for a chance to grow their businesses, showcase their work to an international audience and gain honest and actionable feedback. Need more convincing? Read more reasons why you should enter, here.
All winners of a Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond award must purchase a Winners' Package (excluding students). These include multiple benefits including assets to help you communicate your success to potential clients, global media, colleagues and business stakeholders.
TESTIMONIALS
Roman Ruska, Founder & Creative Director at Ruska Martin Associates, Germany
Paco Adín Oteiza, Creative Director at Supperstudio, Spain
ANY QUESTIONS?
Take a look through our FAQs or get in touch with the Pentawards Team either via info@pentawards.org, +44 7438022161, or by leaving us a message via the gold icon at the bottom right of your screen.