The annual celebration of British parks has confirmed its return for 2026, with a broader scope than in previous years.
Now entering its latest edition, the event has established a total of 22 categories designed to recognise innovation and guest experience. This year, the awards are supported by headline sponsors AttractionTickets.com and TAG Live. The selection process remains a hybrid model, utilising a combination of public voting alongside the technical oversight of an expert judging panel to ensure a balanced perspective on the year’s best performers.
To reflect the changing nature of the domestic leisure market, three new categories have been introduced for the 2026 edition. These include Waterpark of the Year and Scream Park of the Year, acknowledging the growth of these specific sub-sectors within the wider UK attractions landscape. Additionally, the Theme Park Personality of the Year category has been created to focus on the individual contributions that define the guest experience.
The digital landscape also remains a priority for the organisers as they look to reward modern marketing efforts. The Content Creator of the Year category is currently seeking a fresh voice to join the Content Creator Hall of Fame. This honorary group already consists of 15 previous winners who have been recognised for their work in documenting the British theme park industry for a wider audience.
Recognising talent
Beyond the categories open to public influence, the awards feature two accolades designed to recognise the people behind the magic. Operators are invited to submit nominations for Outstanding Achievement, which targets professionals who have reached career milestones through consistent dedication and impact. The Rising Star category focuses on newer talent, identifying those who have shown rapid growth and a positive influence during the early stages of their careers.
The full list of public-voted categories for the 2026 event includes:
- Theme Park of the Year and Best New Attraction
- Best Theme Park for Families, Toddlers, and Thrills
- Seaside Park, Waterpark, and Scream Park of the Year
- Best Halloween Event and Best Christmas Event
- Best New Entertainment and Best Landscaped Theme Park
- Best Theme Park Animal Exhibit and Best Theme Park Holiday Village
- Best New Accessibility Initiative and Best New Sustainability Initiative
- Best Social Media Content and Best Marketing Campaign
- Best Customer Service and Best Value Theme Park
- Theme Park Personality of the Year and Content Creator of the Year
The nomination window for the 2026 awards is scheduled to open on Monday 18th May. Both the general public and theme park operators will have until Friday 5th June to put forward their candidates for consideration. Detailed criteria for the operator-led nominations and the portal for submissions will be made available at ukthemeparkawards.com once the window opens.
