The Commercial Radio News Awards 2026 in association with IRN and Sky News are now welcoming submissions from newsrooms across the UK.
The awards celebrate journalism, production and presentation at a time when millions continue to rely on commercial radio for trusted news and sport.
This year introduces two new entry opportunities. Teams operating within a wider news hub but serving stations with a combined TSA below 1.5 million can now enter the smaller team category. Students not enrolled on a BJTC course are also eligible to enter the student category for the first time.
Entries are open at irnawards.co.uk, where full details and criteria for all thirteen categories are available. Categories include News Team of the Year for hubs or stations above and below 1.5 million TSA, Best News Story or Coverage, Best News Special, three Reporter of the Year awards, two Newsreader of the Year awards, Best Interview, Best Sports Coverage, Newcomer of the Year and Student Journalist of the Year.
The deadline for entries is Thursday 15 January 2026 at 5pm. The ceremony will take place on Thursday 26 March 2026 at Sky.
As in previous years, the IRN Gold Award will also be presented to recognise an individual’s outstanding contribution to news or sport in UK commercial radio. This category is not open for entry, but suggestions can be emailed to irnawards@me.com.
IRN Editor and Chair of Judges Dave Terris said the awards highlight the standard of reporting heard throughout the sector and encouraged journalists to review their best work from the past year.