FIT Sport Design Awards 2026

Competition Brief

The FIT Sport Design Awards is an international design competition held yearly and it is focused on sports apparel, footwear, equipment, and performance-related products. The main goal of the competition is to underline the sports design industry’s innovations, functionalities, sustainability, and aesthetic quality. It is open to the entire spectrum of designers: from professionals, freelancers, independent studios, brands, manufacturers to young talents. A grand jury comprises the most experienced and eminent designers of sports gear, professionals from the press, experts in textiles and clothing, consultants, and industry leaders who will be evaluating all entries.

Intent

The competition spotlights the design excellence of sports products and the promotion of projects that improve athletic performance, user experience, and the development of new materials. It also encourages sustainable practices and socially responsible design in the related industries.

Purpose

In the first place, the FIT Sport Design Awards aims at giving recognition and making visible designers and brands who are innovative in the field, thus offering a platform for displaying high-quality and creative sports designs to the global market.

Requirements

Submissions are free both to professionals and independent designers globally as well as brands, studios, and students. The works can include apparel, footwear, equipment, and related performance products. All works must be original, properly documented, and evaluated according to the criteria of design quality, innovation, and relevance to the sports design sector.

Jury

Joanna Czutkowna, CEO, 5THREAD, England
Jordan Peng, Creative Director and Design Consultant, Unknown Spaces, Spain
Susan Sokolowski, Professor and Founding Director of Sports Product Design at the University of Oregon, Sports Product Innovation Industry Consultant and Advisor, United States
Sean Williams, Co-Founder, OSD, SOLEcial Studies, United States
Tannese Williams, Product Manager of Fashion, Home + Interiors, Pantone, United States
Noreen Naroo Pucci, Chief Product Officer, Merrell, United States
Samantha Taylor, Founder, The Good Factory, England
Thiago Bazzi, Senior Product Developer, Arc’teryx Equipment, Canada
Terez Havancsak, Women’s Head of Design, Aether Apparel, United States
TÔ Long-Nam, Chair for Fashion, Accessory, and Sneaker Design, Savannah College of Art and Design, United States
Germain Thomine, Industrial Footwear Designer and Founder, MG, France
Joerg Rohwer-Kahlmann, Industrial Designer / Co-Founder, VOR, Germany
Alistair Hather, Design Director, Apparel & Innovation, Consultant, Alistair Hather Design, United States
Chris Stone, Circularity Designer, The North Face, United States
Isa Svärd, Global Art Director, POC, Sweden
Karl Askill, Print & Graphic Design Manager, Gymshark, England
Pete Hill, Owner, Pete Hill Ltd., Canada
Charles Johnson, Design Innovation Leader, Driven By Charles / Principal, United States
Marcello Kuthan, Industrial / Product Designer, Scott Sports SA, Switzerland
Tetiana Shevchuk, Olympic Games Designer & Creator and Founder, Leotaire, United States
Mathieu Boimare, Independent Consultant, Former Salomon Global Product Creation Director for Apparel and Gear, France
Guillaume Salmon, Footwear Designer, SOLEKO DESIGN, France
Julian Loretz, Performance Footwear Designer, On-Running, Switzerland

Fees

Registration Type	Fee (CHF)	Approx. USD
Company / Brand	250	270
Same Entry Additional Cat.	50% Discount	50% Discount
Independent Designer	100	107
Same Entry Additional Cat.	50% Discount	50% Discount
Student	50	54
Same Entry Additional Cat.	50% Discount	50% Discount

No further fees for winning; all winner benefits are provided free of charge.

Dates

Milestone	Date
Early Bird 15% Discount	September 7 2025
Extended Early Bird 10% Discount	October 31 2025
Regular Deadline	December 15 2025
Final Deadline + 10% Late Fee	March 1 2026
Late Submission Close	April 12 2026
Program Close	April 12 2026

Rewards

Placement	Prize / Recognition
Winner	Trophy, Certificate, Media Recognition
Runner-Up	Certificate, Media Recognition
Third Place	Certificate
Special Mentions	Certificates

✦ ArchUp Competition Review

The FIT Sport Design Awards 2026 are set up as a worldwide professional contest backed by the detailed entry fees, deadlines, and a very professional jury, thus improving transparency. The event is aimed at professionals, freelance designers, brands, studios, and students from all over the world, so it becomes a specialized professional recognition platform rather than a promotional activity. The entrance fees are from CHF 50 for students to CHF 250 for companies, which is very reasonable considering the industry exposure and the credibility that is given. Although no cash prizes are given, winners are provided with professional recognition, media visibility, and portfolio enhancement. The jury’s diverse knowledge in sports design regulates the quality of evaluation in the submissions.

Conclusion

The FIT Sport Design Awards 2026 is the place to be for a global award for the best sports design. A distinguished jury of industry leaders, clear categories, structured deadlines, and significant benefits for the winners are just some of the things that the competition has to offer to ensure meaningful visibility and credibility for the designers, brands, and the new talents in the sports product sector.

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Competition Website