Abbey Road Music Photography Awards 2026 Finalists Announced
The Abbey Road Music Photography Awards has revealed 40 finalist images from over 24,500 submissions. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at London's Abbey Road Studios on September 24.
The Abbey Road Music Photography Awards has released its shortlist of 40 finalists for 2026. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the famous London studios on September 24.
More than 24,500 submissions from 42 countries were considered for this year's awards. Head judge Rankin said 2026 "feels like the strongest year yet" for the five-year-old event. He praised the entries as technically brilliant and full of energy and emotion.
All shortlisted photographs will be displayed in the LED tunnel at Outernet London from September 8 to 14. Voting for the fan-decided music moment of the year award is open online and at the exhibition.
The Nominees
The shortlist spans eight categories, including a special guest category celebrating 50 years of punk. The BBC highlighted several nominated images.
| Image Subject | Category | Photographer |
|---|---|---|
| Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis on stage | Music moment of the year | Harriet T K Bols |
| A single Oasis fan in a Buenos Aires crowd | Music moment | Joshua Halling |
| Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl halftime show | Music moment | Jenn Devereaux |
| Phoebe Lunny of Lambrini Girls crowd surfing | Music moment | Jessie Morgan |
| Geese clearing their studio | Behind the scenes | Lewis Evans |
| Kevin Parker of Tame Impala on a video set | Behind the scenes | Caity Krone |
| The OGM of HO99O9 with a custom grill | Portrait | Daniel Rojos |
| Billie Marten riding a horse in New Zealand | Emerging photographer | Frances Carter |
| Sombr at a piano | Emerging photographer | Bryce Glenn |
| Fontaines DC at an Irish festival | Live music | Charlie Barclay Harris |
| Metal fans forming a pyramid at Download Festival | Festivals | Danny North |
| Punks in Leicester, 1979 | 50 years of punk | Wayne Spike Large |
| Private Function's last gig in Melbourne | Underground scenes | Suzanne Phoenix |
| Amy Taylor of Amyl and the Sniffers crowd surfing | 50 years of punk | Jamie Wdziekonski |
Special Recognitions
Photographers Roberta Bayley and Masayoshi Sukita will receive special recognition awards at the ceremony. The judging panel includes figures like Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers and singer Raye.
Judges' Awards
Several images were also selected out of competition for judges' awards. One features FKA Twigs and her dancers headlining the LadyLand Festival in Brooklyn. That photograph was taken by Sacha Lecca for Rolling Stone magazine.
The exhibition opens in London next month.
