To celebrate 20 years of Pentawards, we opened the doors to something brand new: the Pentawards Clubhouse

Every year, our second round of judging begins with something truly special: the moment when hundreds of packaging works leave the screen and become real. 

For the 2026 Pentawards competition, we requested more than 700 physical samples from all of the shortlisted entries. Our international jury then spent two full days immersed in these designs - examining materials, finishes, structures and details to pick the 2026 Pentawards winners.

And as we looked around the room, surrounded by so much creativity, one question came to mind: why keep this experience behind closed doors?

To celebrate 20 years of Pentawards, we opened the doors to the very first Pentawards Clubhouse . We transformed an entire floor of our Twickenham HQ into a dedicated exhibition space where the packaging community could experience this year's shortlisted work up close, discover emerging trends and explore the ideas shaping the future of design.

For one week only, visitors stepped inside a showcase of this year's shortlisted projects, discovering emerging trends, innovative ideas and the creative thinking shaping the future of the industry. From brand owners and designers to agencies and students, the Clubhouse brought together the packaging community to experience this year's most outstanding packaging work up close and connect with fellow creatives.

The week welcomed teams from across the industry, including Design Bridge & Partners, Fortnum & Mason, Coley Porter Bell, Harrods, JKR, Unilever and many more. We also dedicated a full day to the next generation of designers, giving students the opportunity to explore the exhibition, meet industry professionals and be inspired by the work around them.

Proudly sponsored by KURZ, the Pentawards Clubhouse was more than an exhibition - it was a celebration of creativity, collaboration and 20 years of pushing packaging design forward.

Want to find out who's taking home a trophy this year? Join us at the Gala Ceremony .