The momentum is building for the UK Theme Park Awards 2026, with an impressive 14,701 nominations already submitted by the public and industry professionals.
Organised by Theme Parks UK, the independent consumer guide published by Theme Park Network, the awards continue to serve as a major benchmark of quality and innovation across the British attractions landscape.
With the nomination window set to close on Friday 5th June 2026, time is running out for theme park operators, providers and visitors to put forward their favourites.
This year’s event features 22 public-voted categories, reflecting both long-standing industry staples and the shifting trends of the domestic leisure market. Eight brand-new categories have made their debut for the 2026 edition, including Waterpark of the Year, Scream Park of the Year, Best Landscaped Theme Park and Best Theme Park Animal Exhibit. Reflecting the high growth in short breaks and dedicated industry talent, categories like Best Theme Park Holiday Village and Theme Park Personality of the Year have also been introduced.
Major national operators such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, LEGOLAND Windsor, Drayton Manor, Paultons Park and Pleasure Beach Resort are likely to be well represented in the initial submissions. Simultaneously, a strong contingent of independent regional parks from across the UK are expected to garner significant support, demonstrating the competitive diversity of the sector.
In addition to the consumer-focused categories, theme park operators are reminded that the portal remains open for direct submissions for the two Industry Excellence Awards. These peer-nominated accolades, Rising Star and Outstanding Achievement, are specifically designed to shine a light on the internal operational talent, dedication and workforce driving the industry forward behind the scenes.
Once the nomination window closes on 5th June, all submissions will be meticulously reviewed by an expert judging panel to compile the official shortlist. This shortlist will subsequently be put forward for a decisive public vote later this summer.
The final results will be announced at a live awards ceremony on 10th September 2026, hosted at Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort. The event production will be handled by official production partner TAG Live, with headline sponsorship provided by AttractionTickets.com and TAG Live.
Professionals and members of the public can submit their final nominations before the deadline via the official website at ukthemeparkawards.com.
