The Sony World Photography Awards 2027 Youth Competition is open to photographers aged 19 and under, entry is free, and you submit online by 5 January 2027 at 16:00 GMT. Prizes include Sony Digital Imaging equipment, a place in the London exhibition and the annual book. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the organiser's official page and set out the rules, the prizes and the steps below.
Not an Erasmus+ or ESC Programme: Please Read First
⚠️ Different programme: the competition is run by the World Photography Organisation. It is not an Erasmus+ project and not a European Solidarity Corps activity, so the rules of those programmes do not apply
🆓 No fee: the official rules state that the competition is free to enter, so there is no entry fee and no package to pay for
🔎 Check before you enter: compare every detail with the organiser's own page, and read how Youth Works Hub checks opportunities
What the Youth Competition Is
📸 Format: a photography competition for standout single images
🌐 Entry: online, by uploading your image through the World Photography Organisation website
🎂 Age: 19 and under on the closing date of the competition
🗓️ Entry period: 1 June 2026 to 5 January 2027
⏳ Closing time: 5 January 2027 at 16:00 (GMT)
📍 Ceremony: the awards ceremony takes place in London
The Youth competition celebrates standout single images shot by photographers aged 19 and under.
Who Can Enter
The Youth competition is open to all members of the public aged 19 and under on the closing date of the competition, which is 5 January 2027. There is no country restriction on the official page. Age is checked on the closing date, not on the day you upload.
How the Judging Works
🖼️ Your entry: photographers can enter up to three images relating to a theme
🧑⚖️ Shortlist: judges select a shortlist of up to 10 photographers
🥇 The title: the shortlisted photographers compete for the Youth Competition Winner title
🏅 Overall winner: receives the Youth Competition Winner title and Sony Digital Imaging kit
📅 Results: the winner is announced in April 2027
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What the Prizes Include
The organiser's prize table lists the following items:
🎥 Sony Digital Imaging equipment
✈️ Flights and accommodation to the awards ceremony in London
📜 Certificate: this might be digital depending on position
🏆 Trophy
📰 Global press exposure
📖 A copy of the book
🔖 Inclusion in the book
🖼️ Inclusion in the exhibition: your image may be displayed digitally on screens or printed
💻 Promotion on the World Photography Organisation website
👥 Promotion to the online community
The page separates the prizes for the overall winner from the shortlist of up to nine other photographers, and it does not show in text which tier receives which item. Check the prize table on the official page before you enter.
Rules to Know Before You Upload
📑 Accepting the rules: by entering you accept the Competition Rules and the Terms and Conditions
🆓 Cost: the competition is free to enter
📆 Timing: entries must be submitted between 1 June 2026 and 5 January 2027 at 16:00 (GMT)
🔐 Your data: by entering, you agree that the World Photography Organisation may receive your registration data and use your personal information in line with its Privacy Policy
🌐 How to enter: you must upload your image via the World Photography Organisation website
🖼️ Image eligibility: the page points to its Rules section for the full image eligibility criteria
How to Prepare Your Entry
Choose the images that best fit the theme and that you are happy to see in print or on a screen, because shortlisted work may be shown in the London exhibition and the annual book. Check your age against the closing date, read the full rules on the official page, and upload before the deadline. Find more opportunities like this in the Others section on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sony World Photography Awards Youth Competition free to enter?
Yes. The official rules state that the competition is free to enter.
Who can enter the Youth Competition?
Any member of the public aged 19 and under on the closing date, 5 January 2027. The official page sets no country restriction.
How many images can I submit?
Photographers can enter up to three images relating to a theme.
What is the deadline?
Entries close on 5 January 2027 at 16:00 (GMT).
How are winners chosen?
Judges select a shortlist of up to 10 photographers. The shortlist compete for the Youth Competition Winner title, and the overall winner receives the title and Sony Digital Imaging kit.
Is this an Erasmus+ or ESC project?
No. It is a photography competition run by the World Photography Organisation, outside the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes.
Deadline
⏳ 05 January 2027
Link
🌐 Youth Competition page: https://www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/youth
