Summer of Sports Photography Competition 2026 – Capture the Action
Capture the Action. Show the Emotion. Celebrate Sport.
Sport is full of moments that happen in an instant. The winning goal, the final sprint, the split-second reaction, the celebration, the disappointment and the determination that keeps an athlete going.
The Summer of Sports Photography Competition 2026 is looking for photographs that capture the excitement, drama and passion of sport.
Whether you photograph professional competition, grassroots sport, individual athletes or the moments that happen around an event, this is your opportunity to showcase your best sporting photography.
Entry is just £1 per image, with unlimited entries.
The competition is open to all photographers and closes on 30 November 2026.
What Makes a Great Sports Photograph?
Great sports photography isn’t simply about freezing the fastest moment of the action. The strongest images can reveal the emotion, atmosphere and human story behind the sport.
Action & Excitement
Capture the speed, skill and intensity of sport at the decisive moment.
From a perfectly timed tackle to the instant an athlete crosses the finish line, look for photographs that make the viewer feel as though they are right there in the action.
Victory & Celebration
What happens after the decisive moment can be just as powerful.
Look for the celebrations, reactions and emotions that follow success, whether it is an individual achievement or a team sharing a memorable victory.
Grassroots Sport
Great sporting stories happen at every level.
Local clubs, school competitions, amateur leagues and community events can provide fantastic opportunities for sports photographers. Passion and determination aren’t exclusive to professional sport.
Individual Athletes
Sometimes the most compelling sports photographs focus on one person.
Concentration, determination, effort and personality can all create powerful portraits of athletes, whether captured during competition or away from the main action.
Beyond the Action
Don’t overlook everything happening around the sporting event.
Preparation, anticipation, spectators, officials, coaches, equipment and quieter moments can all help tell the story of a sporting occasion.
Creative Perspectives
Think about how you can make your photograph stand out.
Experiment with your position, perspective, timing and composition. A different viewpoint or an unexpected moment can turn a familiar sporting scene into a memorable image.
Tips for Sports Photography Competition Entrants
Capture the Moment
Timing is everything in sports photography.
Look for moments of action, emotion, celebration and tension that tell a story. Anticipating what is about to happen can be just as important as reacting to what is already happening.
Think Beyond the Action
The atmosphere surrounding a sporting event can be just as interesting as the competition itself.
Spectators, preparation, anticipation and reactions can provide photographs with a strong sense of narrative.
Consider Your Composition
Pay attention to backgrounds and distracting elements.
Your position, perspective and framing can help isolate the subject and make the main action immediately clear to the viewer.
Make Your Image Stand Out
Think carefully about your final image.
Exposure, colour, contrast, sharpness and cropping should all work together to create a strong photograph. Consider what the image communicates before deciding whether it deserves a place in your entry.
Enter the Summer of Sports Photography Competition 2026
Entry costs just £1 per image, and there is no limit to the number of images you can enter.
You can enter your favourite sports photographs from professional competitions, local events, grassroots clubs, individual athletes and sporting occasions of all kinds.
Once you have completed the entry form, you will be guided to the payment option for additional images.
Competition closes 30 November 2026.
Competition Prizes
The top three photographs will receive free Digital Membership of any of The Societies.
Overall Winner – 12 Months Free Digital Membership
The winner receives one year of free Digital Membership, including:
- Entry to membership-only competitions
- Unrestricted access to the members’ photography forum
- Access to the members-only Facebook group
- A listing on the photography directory
- Qualifications and distinctions through image submission
2nd Place – 6 Months Free Digital Membership
The second-placed photographer receives six months of free Digital Membership with access to membership competitions, the members’ forum, members-only Facebook group, photography directory and qualifications and distinctions.
3rd Place – 6 Months Free Digital Membership
The third-placed photographer also receives six months of free Digital Membership with the same range of membership benefits.
No cash alternatives will be given.
Competition Rules
- Enter as many images as you like.
- The work must be that of the entrant.
- No entry will be eligible if it has been made under the supervision of an instructor or as a class assignment.
- Images submitted must be no larger than 2000 pixels wide.
- Entrants must be able to supply a high-resolution 300dpi version.
- No distinguishing marks may appear on submitted images.
- Copyright remains with the photographer.
- The Societies may use entries for publicity purposes, including Professional Imagemaker and other promotional activities.
- The competition closes on 30 November 2026.
- The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter?
Entry costs just £1 GBP per image.
How many images can I enter?
There is no limit. Enter as many images as you like, with each image costing £1.
What type of sports photography can I enter?
We’re looking for photographs that capture sporting action, emotion, atmosphere and memorable moments. This can include professional competition, grassroots sport, individual athletes and the many moments that happen around sporting events.
What size should my image be?
Submitted images must be no larger than 2000 pixels wide. Entrants must also be able to supply a high-resolution 300dpi version.
When does the competition close?
The Summer of Sports Photography Competition closes on 30 November 2026.
Show Us Your Best Sporting Moments
Capture the action. Find the decisive moment. Show the emotion.
Whether you’ve photographed elite competition, a local club, a school event or an individual athlete, we want to see the sporting moments you’ve captured.
Enter your best sports photographs for just £1 per image.
Unlimited entries. Open to all photographers. Closes 30 November 2026.
