IAAP World Cup 2026: Free Global Photography Entries Close 27 October
The International Association of Art Photographers (IAAP) is accepting worldwide entries to its IAAP World Cup photographic contest, with a closing date of 27 October 2026. Entry is free for both amateur and professional photographers. The programme focuses on photographic images in two sections, Open Color and Open Monochrome, rather than illustration, AI painting or digital compositing. The judging date is 8 November 2026, entrants are scheduled to receive notifications on 15 November, and the public gallery is planned for 13 December 2026.
Who may enter and what work is accepted?
The organiser says the competition is open to all nationalities and to amateurs or professionals, subject to standard acceptance and originality rules. The two categories are Open Color, which accepts colour photographs, and Open Monochrome, which is limited to black and white or consistently single-toned images. The published IAAP monochrome definition says an image with added partial colour no longer qualifies for the monochrome class. Artists should not submit a digitally painted work as though it had originated through a physical or digital photographic capture.
No entry fee and practical checklist
Deadline: Tuesday 27 October 2026, per the competition's official calendar.
Entry price: free of charge; the IAAP rules expressly state that no fee is required.
Open Color: photographs using colour, following the official upload specifications.
Open Monochrome: black-and-white photographs, including fully single-hue toned work, but not selective colour edits.
The image must originate in photographic capture by its submitting creator and comply with the organiser's definitions.
Read the live image-size, file-format and personal-information rules before pressing submit.
Awards, judging and notification
The published prize list announces one IAAP Gold Medal, one Silver Medal, one Bronze Medal and three IAAP Diplomas, six awards in total; the association reserves discretion to adjust the award count in response to the number of entrants. No fixed cash award is described in the verified official list. The jury comprises photographers identified publicly by the organiser, and judging is set for 8 November with notifications expected 15 November. The public exhibition gallery and delivery are scheduled for 13 December 2026.
Privacy and licensing caution
The rules make clear that a person's full name, country, entered sections and participation status may be made public, and photographs selected by the contest may be presented in the gallery or related publication. Photography applicants should read exactly what rights they grant to IAAP and its partners before uploading images containing recognisable subjects. All images should be their own photographic work; retain original captures and model or location permissions where applicable.
Who operates the contest?
The contest is run by the International Association of Art Photographers with its contact office named in Kumanovo, North Macedonia, and a public organisers' contact email. It provides a numbered IAAP recognition reference and an archive of past gallery material. The contest has a published calendar, named judges and downloadable entry criteria, allowing participants to check the invitation independently. A medal or certificate is distinct from a cash scholarship or travel award.
Official rules and entry
IAAP World Cup official rules and calendar: https://theiaap.com/e/worldcup/?view=rules
IAAP World Cup event homepage and entry access: https://theiaap.com/e/worldcup/
Verified 24 October 2026. Global free-entry contest; closes 27 October 2026. Check the official form's time zone before relying on the final hours.