The annual search to identify, reward and celebrate excellence in the UK theme park sector has officially commenced, with nominations now open for the UK Theme Park Awards 2026.
Now entering its next phase of growth, the award scheme serves as an industry benchmark for operational quality, guest experience and commercial innovation. This year’s event is headlined by major industry partners AttractionTickets.com and TAG Live®.
Organised by consumer guide Theme Parks UK, the 2026 edition introduces a refreshed lineup of 22 public-voted categories. Reflecting the evolving UK leisure market, several new accolades have been introduced for this cycle, including Waterpark of the Year, Scream Park of the Year, and Theme Park Personality of the Year. Further new categories highlight specific operational strengths, spanning Best Landscaped Theme Park, Best Theme Park Animal Exhibit, and Best Theme Park Holiday Village, alongside dedicated seasonal awards: Best Halloween Event and Best Christmas Event.
In an update to the influencer categories, the two previous content creator awards have been consolidated into a single, prestigious Content Creator of the Year title. The winner will join the new Content Creator Hall of Fame, which celebrates the 15 previous winners.
Crucially for operators, the 2026 programme features two dedicated Industry Excellence Awards. Designed specifically to recognise talent and dedication behind the scenes, operators are invited to submit nominations for:
- Outstanding Achievement: Recognising an experienced professional that has achieved many significant career milestones and consistently delivered exceptional contributions.
- Rising Star: Celebrating emerging talent in the early stages of their professional journey who have already demonstrated significant promise and positive operational impact.
For the primary 22 categories, nominations can be submitted by both theme park operators and consumers to help shape the shortlists. These shortlists will subsequently face a dual evaluation process, combining a public vote with the scores from an expert judging panel.
Major theme park operators including Merlin Entertainments (Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, LEGOLAND Windsor, and Thorpe Park), Looping Group (Drayton Manor), and leading independent theme parks such as Pleasure Beach and Paultons Park, are expected to be among the contenders across the various categories.
The nomination window is open from today, Monday 18 May, and it will close on Friday 5 June. View the full criteria and submit entries by visiting ukthemeparkawards.com
