The awards, which are the ones to win for anyone running a multi-site pub or bar operation, recognise excellence across the industry across a range of categories.
Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser (The MA), which organises the awards, said: “We appreciate its quite a challenge pulling together all the information required to enter the Publican Awards, and my inbox usually swells with people asking if there’s an extension, so the good news is - there is!
Extra week
“We’ll be giving you an extra week to polish up those entries and get the information across. These awards are tough to enter, and tough to win, but well worth the effort.
“If you haven’t yet thought about entering, I’d urge anyone running a pub company, big or small, to take a look. It’s a great way to take a step back yourselves, and run the rule over the business, but also to have expert independent judges take a look and give you some invaluable feedback on your operation.”
Celebrating the best operators across the hospitality sector with a wide range of categories, the awards are now in their 35th year of operation.
Winners will be recognised at the standout night in the industry’s calendar at a party of epic proportions on Wednesday 25 March 2026 at London Evolution, Battersea.
New category
This year also sees the introduction of a new category, Best Experiential Operator, which not only covers the late night sector, but embraces the fast growing category of competitive socialising and those operators that are embracing the opportunity to provide outstanding events and experiences for their guests.
The awards are sponsored by Budweiser Brewing Group, Carlsberg Britvic, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Damm, Diageo, Heineken, Molson Coors and Thatchers.
The categories are:
- Best Accommodation Operator
- Best Brewing Pub Company
- Best Community Pub Operator
- Best Drinks Offer
- Best Food Offer
- Best Experiential Operator
- Best Managed Pub Company (2-50 sites)
- Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites)
- Best New Site
- Best Partnership Pub Company (501+ sites)
- Best Partnership Pub Company (up to 500 sites)
- Best Premium Food Offer
- Best Pub Brand/Concept
- Best Pub Employer (501+ employees)
- Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees)
- Best Pub Operations Team
- Best Sustainable Pub Company
So, what are you waiting for? This is your opportunity to shine a spotlight on your pub estate, gain sector-wide recognition and celebrate the industry’s finest. Enter the Publican Awards now.
