Key Points
- Nominations are now open for the Leeds Sports Awards 2026, inviting communities across the city to recognise athletes, volunteers, clubs, and organisations who excelled in sport throughout 2025.
- The awards are in their 23rd year, spotlighting both elite performers on national and international stages and grassroots champions in local parks, schools, and clubs.
- Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, stated: “Leeds continues to produce athletes competing with distinction at every level. The Leeds Sports Awards are a brilliant way to celebrate the talent, dedication and passion that makes Leeds such a great sporting city”.
- 2025 featured major events like Ironman Leeds and the return of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, plus year-round competitions, community initiatives, and participation opportunities.
- Rob Wadsworth, Head of Sport Leeds, said: “The Leeds Sports Awards is about celebrating the people who make sport happen, from athletes achieving incredible things, to the volunteers, clubs and coaches who support others to take part. 2025 was a brilliant year for Leeds, and these awards give us the chance to recognise those at the heart of it”.
- A total of 15 awards will be presented, with public nominations open in 13 categories, including the Sustainability Award for positive environmental impact through sport.
- Organised by Sport Leeds and supported by Leeds City Council, the ceremony takes place on Thursday 14 May 2026 at the Carriageworks Theatre.
- Nominations opened immediately and close on Sunday 22 February 2026 via the Sport Leeds website at sportleeds.org/leedssportsawards.
Leeds ( The Leeds Times) February 2, 2026 – Nominations have launched for the Leeds Sports Awards 2026, as the city prepares to honour the athletes, volunteers, clubs, and organisations that drove an exceptional year of sport in 2025. This 23rd edition underscores Leeds’s vibrant sporting scene, from elite competitions to community efforts, with public input invited across 13 categories out of 15 total awards.
- Key Points
- What is the history of the Leeds Sports Awards?
- Who are the key figures praising the awards?
- What major events made 2025 unforgettable for Leeds sport?
- What categories can the public nominate for in 2026?
- When and where is the Leeds Sports Awards 2026 ceremony?
- Why should communities nominate now?
What is the history of the Leeds Sports Awards?
The Leeds Sports Awards have established themselves as a cornerstone of the city’s sporting calendar over 23 years, evolving into one of its most anticipated celebrations. As reported in the press release issued on behalf of Leeds Sports Awards, the event now spotlights not only high-profile athletes but also the unsung heroes in grassroots sport.
Previous editions, such as the 2025 awards (the 22nd year), were held on Thursday 15 May at the Carriageworks Theatre, featuring categories grouped under Athletes of the City, Beacons of the City, and Champions of the City, plus special recognition. Coverage from Yorkshire Sport Foundation noted that the 2025 nominations closed on 15 March, celebrating 2024 achievements like Olympians, the Super League Magic Weekend, the second Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, and UK Corporate Games.
Leeds Rhinos’ official site echoed this, highlighting the 15 awards and public nominations in 13, including a new Sustainability Award for that year. The event’s theatre-style presentation at Carriageworks marked a fresh format, sponsored by entities like Leeds City Council and Evans Homes.
Who are the key figures praising the awards?
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, praised the initiative in the official press release:
“Leeds continues to produce athletes competing with distinction at every level. The Leeds Sports Awards are a brilliant way to celebrate the talent, dedication and passion that makes Leeds such a great sporting city”.
Rob Wadsworth, Head of Sport Leeds, emphasised the community focus:
“The Leeds Sports Awards is about celebrating the people who make sport happen, from athletes achieving incredible things, to the volunteers, clubs and coaches who support others to take part. 2025 was a brilliant year for Leeds, and these awards give us the chance to recognise those at the heart of it”.
In prior coverage, for the 2025 awards, Rob Wadsworth, then Chair of Sport Leeds, described it as
“one of the highlights of the Leeds sporting calendar as we celebrate the performances of athletes, of all levels and ages, coaches, administrators and volunteers from across the city during 2024”
as reported by Yorkshire Sport Foundation. Similarly, Leeds City Councillor Salma Arif added:
“As a city, we are fortunate to have some of the country’s top athletes based here, as well as a tremendous network of volunteers who do so much to keep our communities active. The Leeds Sports Awards provides an opportunity for the unsung heroes and world leading athletes to be acknowledged on the same stage”.
What major events made 2025 unforgettable for Leeds sport?
Leeds hosted standout events in 2025, including Ironman Leeds on 27 July, a 140.6-mile triathlon drawing professional athletes with a $50,000 prize purse and strong fields, as detailed in pro triathlete results. The race saw top finishes like 8:10:08 for the winner, showcasing elite endurance amid Leeds’s historic towns.
The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon returned triumphantly, with the 2025 edition on 11 May starting and ending at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, attracting over 12,000 entrants across full and half distances through scenic routes via Woodhouse Moor, Adel, Bramhope, Pool in Wharfedale, and Otley, organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All with Leeds City Council support.
These joined a year-round calendar of competitions and initiatives, building on 2024’s Super League Magic Weekend and UK Corporate Games, as noted in 2025 award previews. Such events highlight the talent and energy behind every finish line, training session, and fixture.
What categories can the public nominate for in 2026?
A total of 15 awards feature, with public nominations open for 13, including the Sustainability Award recognising environmental impact through sport, per the press release. While 2026 specifics mirror past structures, 2025 categories from Yorkshire Sport Foundation reporting by their news team included:
Athletes of the City
- Young Disability Sportsperson (under 18)
- Disability Sportsperson
- Young Sportsperson (under 18)
- Sportsperson
Beacons of the City
Champions of the City
Sponsored categories like Outstanding Sports Volunteer (Rosterfy) and Performance Club/Team (Weetwood Hall Hotel) added prestige, as listed on the Sport Leeds site post-2025 event.
When and where is the Leeds Sports Awards 2026 ceremony?
The Leeds Sports Awards 2026 will occur on Thursday 14 May at the Carriageworks Theatre, organised by Sport Leeds and backed by Leeds City Council. This venue hosted the 2025 edition successfully, introducing a theatre-style format.
Nominations opened on 2 February 2026 and close on Sunday 22 February 2026, accessible solely via sportleeds.org/leedssportsawards. Early closure compared to 2025’s 15 March deadline ensures timely judging.
Why should communities nominate now?
Communities across Leeds are urged to spotlight those making sport shine, from elite athletes to everyday volunteers in parks and schools. The awards foster recognition of dedication powering the city’s active lifestyles, as Councillor Arif and Wadsworth affirmed.
With 2025’s Ironman triumphs—where pros like the 8:10:08 finisher excelled—and marathon masses, nominees embody Leeds’s sporting heartbeat. Public input in 13 categories guarantees grassroots voices shape the night, continuing a 23-year tradition of inclusive celebration.
