Entries open for 25th ASC Media Awards

Entries are now open for the 25th Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Media Awards, marking a quarter of a century of recognising the journalists, broadcasters, producers and photographers who bring Australian sport to life.

Media outlets, sporting organisations and sporting clubs from across the country are encouraged to submit their best work across 12 categories spanning print, digital, audio, video, broadcast, social media and photography.

The ASC Media Awards are Australia’s only dedicated sports media awards.

This year will see more opportunities for content creators to enter the awards with the Best Sport Podcast category expanded to recognise sport content creators.

Open to current and former athletes, journalists, experts, analysts and sports fans, the Best sport content creator category recognises those who inform, entertain and build engaged communities.

ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said it was important the Media Awards continue to evolve alongside the industry they celebrate.

“The way Australians consume sport content continues to change, and content creators are playing an increasingly important role in shaping conversations, building communities and bringing fans closer to the sports they love,” Perkins said.

“This new category recognises the growing influence of creators who are using digital platforms to engage audiences, share knowledge and bring new voices into the sporting conversation.”

Podcasts remain eligible and can be entered in the new content creator category.

“Whether you're an established media professional, an emerging creator or a passionate storyteller, if you're producing outstanding work about sport, we encourage you to enter,” Perkins said.

The awards will also recognise an emerging journalist through the Rising Star Award, which is selected from the finalist pool and is open to people aged 30 and under or those who are new to the industry.

As is tradition, the ASC Media Awards will once again honour an outstanding contributor to Australian sports media through the presentation of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Last year, celebrated sports photographer Phil Hillyard became the first photographer to receive the honour, joining an esteemed list of recipients including Jim Maxwell AM, Margie McDonald, Tracey Holmes, Mike Sheahan and Bruce McAvaney.

Entries are open now and close on Saturday 31 October 2026.

Enter at Australian Sports Commission Media Awards for 2026, opens in a new tab

Finalists will be announced in December and invited to attend the ASC Media Awards gala dinner in Melbourne in February 2027.

To be eligible, entries must have been published between 1 November 2025 and 31 October 2026.

Award categories available for nomination are:

• Best reporting of an issue in sport 
• Best sports documentary
• Best sport coverage by an individual - broadcast
• Best coverage of sport by a club or organisation
• Best sport coverage by an individual - written
• Best coverage of sport for people with disability
• Best sport content creator
• Best depiction of inclusive sport
• Best coverage of a sporting event
• Best coverage of local and community sport
• Best sport profile - written 
• Best sports photography