International Photography and Football Open Call 2026

Recognizing the profound visual narratives inherent in the sport, the International Photography and Football Open Call 2026 invites creators worldwide to document the beautiful game. Hosted by Fundación Televisa, Fundación Coppel, and Fundación Diez Morodo, this major initiative coincides with the mounting excitement of the upcoming World Cup. For visual storytellers actively curating their list of photography competitions, this event offers a high-profile, completely free photo competition that demands authentic, emotionally resonant imagery.

Participants have until May 1, 2026, to submit their work, focusing entirely on a single, expansive theme: football. The organizers seek up to three images per entrant, welcoming everything from packed stadium action to quiet moments on dirt fields. By offering a staggering $18,000 in total cash awards and the rare opportunity to exhibit at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, the foundations have established a highly competitive arena.

Evaluated by a world-class jury, the submitted portfolios will be judged strictly on originality, impact, and narrative strength. It stands as a straightforward, highly curated platform for photographers eager to expand their international footprint and have their sports documentation recognized on a monumental scale.

Prizes

The rewards structure for this International Photography and Football Open Call 2026 is exceptionally strong, combining substantial financial compensation with a highly prestigious physical showcase. The organizers will select six winners in total to share an $18,000 prize pool.

• First Place: The top visionary will receive a $6,000 direct cash prize, alongside an all-expenses-paid trip to Mexico City for the official awards ceremony. Most notably, their winning work will be featured in the grand Annie Leibovitz. Futbol 2026 exhibition at the National Museum of Anthropology.
• Second Place: Two runners-up will each be awarded a $3,000 cash prize and guaranteed inclusion in the museum exhibition.
• Third Place: Three third-place winners will each secure a $2,000 cash prize and have their photographs displayed in the National Museum of Anthropology showcase.

Categories or Themes

While the event does not divide submissions into separate technical classifications, it operates under a single, unifying curatorial theme: Football. The organizers seek a broad and diverse interpretation of the sport and everything it represents.

Whether capturing the raw energy of a professional match, the candid interactions of fans, or the quiet dedication of players on a dusty pitch, the primary requirement is authenticity. This makes the call a perfect fit for those engaged in sports documentation.

Dates and Entry Fees

The organizers have established a concise timeline for this digital showcase.

Participation in this International Photography and Football Open Call 2026 is entirely devoid of financial barriers.

• Entry Fee: There is no cost to sign up or submit photographs.

How to Enter

Submissions are processed exclusively through the Picter platform. Participants can upload between one and three images, either as individual shots or as a cohesive series. Files must be in JPG format, sized between 5 MB and 10 MB, with a resolution of 300 dpi (optimized for 8×10 inches). Images must be clean, containing no signatures, watermarks, or identifying marks.

About the Jury

To ensure the highest standard of evaluation, the panel features a highly distinguished group of international visual arts professionals. The 2026 jury includes legendary American photographer Annie Leibovitz, renowned for her iconic portraits; Pablo Ortiz Monasterio, a celebrated Mexican photographer, editor, and founder of Luna Córnea; Carlos Cuarón, an award-winning Mexican filmmaker and screenwriter known for Rudo y cursi; and Ana Hop, a prominent Mexican portrait photographer who regularly contributes to major international publications. The panel will assess submissions based on originality, emotional impact, and narrative depth.

Why Enter the International Photography and Football Open Call?

Securing a place in an exhibition at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City provides a distinct, career-defining advantage for visual creators looking to build their physical and digital authority. Because the call welcomes participants of legal age from any country, it serves as a highly accessible entry point into international photography contests.

The combination of a $6,000 top prize, travel opportunities, and the chance to exhibit alongside the work of Annie Leibovitz provides a level of validation that is incredibly rare. Furthermore, the completely free entry model ensures that emerging creators are evaluated fairly against established professionals without financial constraints. For creatives evaluating the best photography competitions to enter this season, the comprehensive rewards package and the universal appeal of the football theme make this call a strategic addition to an exhibition resume.

Rules and Copyright

This section about the rules and image rights of the International Photography and Football Open Call has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.

Rules

The competition is open to any person of legal age from any country. All submitted images must be completely unpublished; they cannot have been awarded in other competitions, publicly exhibited, or published in any media (including books, magazines, or digital outlets). The photographs must be original works taken by the entrant. Crucially, images generated with Artificial Intelligence are strictly prohibited. While basic digital editing—such as cropping, exposure adjustments, color correction, and noise reduction—is allowed to refine the aesthetics, the photograph must remain faithful to the original scene. Participants must retain their original RAW or original JPG files, as the organizers may request them for verification.

Copyright and Image Usage

While the provided brief outlines the technical requirements and eligibility, specific details regarding long-term copyright retention and comprehensive image usage rights are managed under the general terms of the organizing foundations. Participants are highly encouraged to consult the official privacy notice and terms on the contest website to understand exactly how their imagery will be handled, licensed, or displayed beyond the promotional scope of the exhibition.

For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.