NEW YORK – January 13, 2026 – Call for Entry for the 2026 Radio Mercury Awards, the only awards competition exclusively dedicated to celebrating radio creative, is officially open. Entrants will have the opportunity to be awarded in 17 categories along with the Best of Show recognition.

The competition has been an important indicator of radio creative and the 35th annual awards continue that tradition with new and updated categories for radio and audio creatives to participate and enter their latest audio creative. This year’s slate is reflective of the current landscape for radio and audio.

Updated categories include “Single Placed Spot: Podcast,” “Use of Directing & Performance (Single Spot),” “Use of Radio/Audio Technology (Single Work),” “Student-Produced Script.” These categories will join favorites like “Multi-Platform Campaign,” “Use of Songs or Music (Single Spot)” and “Use of Humor (Single Spot)” among others.

 

Call for Entry deadline is Monday, April 6, 2026. Finalists for the show will be announced in early May, and winners will be announced at the live Radio Mercury Awards event on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at SONY Hall in New York City.

For more information regarding entry categories, guidelines, entry fees and deadlines, available sponsorship information and more, click here.

The Radio Mercury Awards, the only competition exclusively devoted to radio and audio, was established in 1992 to encourage and reward the development of effective and creative radio commercials. The annual Radio Mercury Awards competition draws entries from advertising agencies, production houses, radio stations and educational institutions across the country. Approximately 21,500 commercials have competed in the Radio Mercury Awards and close to $3.5 million in prizes have been awarded over the past 34 years. The Radio Creative Fund (RCF), a nonprofit corporation funded by the radio industry, governs the Radio Mercury Awards. RAB produces the Radio Mercury Awards.

Madison Wright

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