70+ works selected from around 900 entries worldwide, with a prize-giving ceremony at the exhibition opening celebration on 10 June to mark the start of the FIFA World Cup.
The Football Art Prize has announced its 2026 shortlist, selecting over 70 works from 900 entries by artists around the world. This prestigious competition invites artists to explore the passion, drama, and unity that football inspires across the globe.
The 2026 Prize exhibition will see the shortlisted works go on display at Sheffield’s Millennium Gallery from 11 June 2026, the first day of the FIFA World Cup.
The shortlisted works have been selected by panellists including Design Museum Head Tim Marlow OBE, artist Harland Miller, footballer Jessica Naz and artist Emmely Elgersma.
According to Tim Marlow OBE, Chair of the selection panel and Director of the Design Museum:
“People often talk about artistry on the pitch... Well, there's plenty of it off the pitch too, inspired by the beautiful game. One of the joys of football matches is the collective, physical experience, so here's hoping many come and visit the exhibition of selected artworks.”
The shortlisted works span painting, photography, drawing, printmaking, film and mixed media, and come from artists as far afield as Bangladesh, Jamaica, Greenland, Colombia, India and the Netherlands. Together they make a case for football as one of the richest subjects in contemporary art, carrying questions of identity, class, memory, gender, disability and belonging.
Awards totalling £7,000 will be presented at the prize-giving on 10 June: a First Prize of £5,000 and Second Prize of £2,000.
The Football Art Prize 2026 shortlist was selected by a judging panel including:
Tim Marlow OBE
Chief Executive and Director of the Design Museum, London. A prominent figure in the UK’s art world, he has previously served as Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Arts and Director of White Cube.
Harland Miller
An artist and writer whose large-scale paintings rework the iconography of Penguin paperback covers to explore themes of mortality, failure and dark humour. His work is held in major collections internationally.
Jessica Naz
Professional footballer for Tottenham Hotspur Women and England, bringing the perspective of an active player to a prize that sits at the intersection of sport and culture.
Emmely Elgersma
Artist and designer whose practice spans painting, illustration and visual communication.
Sarah Hodgkinson
Senior Curator at Touchstones Rochdale, one of the Football Art Prize’s founding partners.
Alison Morton
Head of Exhibitions at Sheffield Museums, who present the exhibition at the Millennium Gallery, opening in June.
Marek Romaniszyn
Curator at the National Football Museum, Manchester, the exhibition's second touring venue.
EXHIBITION DATES
Millennium Gallery, Sheffield
11 June to 13 September 2026
National Football Museum, Manchester
November 2026 to February 2027
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