The UK theme park industry is preparing for its annual celebration of operational excellence.
This year, the sector will gather on the Lancashire coast to recognise top attractions, rides, and customer service across the country during an anniversary year for the chosen destination.
The UK Theme Park Awards 2026 will take place on 10 September at Pleasure Beach Resort in Blackpool. The announcement coincides with the venue celebrating its 130th year of operation, alongside 90 years of its Hot Ice shows.
Following previous ceremonies at Drayton Manor in 2022, Chessington World of Adventures in 2023, Thorpe Park in 2024, and Wicksteed Park in 2025, the event continues its tour of domestic operators by partnering with the historic coastal amusement park.
Presented in association with AttractionTickets.com, the upcoming ceremony will be produced by live entertainment specialists TAG Live. The production company will also manage the official livestream, allowing public viewing via the UK Theme Park Awards website from 11.30am on the day of the event.
Andy Mills-Brown, Founder and CEO of TAG Live, outlined his thoughts on the new location:
“We’re thrilled to be working with the UK Theme Park Awards once again and to be part of an event that celebrates such a vibrant and exciting industry. This year’s setting in Blackpool provides a fantastic backdrop”.
Naomi Wilkinson, a television presenter and children’s entertainment personality, returns to co-host the 2026 event alongside awards presenter Dave Payne.
Wilkinson said: “I am really looking forward to hosting the UK Theme Park Awards again this year, and who better to share the stage with than Dave Payne!”.
Payne added: “It’s fantastic to be back hosting the UK Theme Park Awards with Naomi. From my own childhood memories of the fantastic rides in Blackpool to now recognising the very top of the theme park industry on stage, I can’t wait to get started on the 10th September”.
Exclusive delegate itinerary
Industry professionals attending the event will have access to a schedule of exclusive activities beyond the main ceremony. The itinerary for delegates includes a behind-the-scenes tour, a directors’ reception, and a dedicated trade show.
Attendees will also be granted exclusive ride time on the park’s Mack launch coaster, ICON, and the newly opened Intamin gyro swing Aviktas. The evening will conclude with an after-party featuring a live DJ set by Rosco and a special performance of Hot Ice XC in the Pleasure Beach Arena.
This theatrical ice show features a cast of 30 Olympic and world champion skaters. The production merges high-speed skating with acrobatic elements, such as backflips and triple spins, alongside theatrical pyrotechnics. Costumes for the performance are designed in-house, utilising 11,000 handstitched rhinestones as well as pheasant and ostrich feathers.
“An Honour”
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO at Pleasure Beach Resort, commented on hosting the industry gathering:
“It is truly an honour to be welcoming the UK Theme Park Awards to Pleasure Beach Resort for the first time. It is an event that celebrates the very best of our industry, and we’re looking forward to opening our doors to colleagues and friends from across the sector”.
Thompson continued: “The UK Theme Park Awards 2026 promises to be a fantastic occasion, and we can’t wait to showcase everything that makes Pleasure Beach such a special place”.
James Cox, Director of Marketing, Sales and PR at the venue added:
“Hosting the 2026 UK Theme Park Awards is a brilliant opportunity for us to showcase everything Pleasure Beach Resort has to offer to the wider industry. Delegates can enjoy our rich history blended with our iconic rides and continued investment into the future, including our exciting new ride, Aviktas“.
“The awards are the perfect platform to demonstrate our ambition and innovation. We’re excited to welcome everyone to experience it first hand, and proud to be at the heart of such a huge event for the industry”.
2026 marks the seventh year of the UK Theme Park Awards, an initiative established to recognise excellence across the sector.
