What are the key dates for the 2025 ESA Awards in partnership with Pearlfinders?
Shortlist announced: 12:00 GMT on Thursday 12 December 2024
Early bird ceremony ticket deadline: 23:59 GMT on 3 January 2025
Winners announced at ESA Awards ceremony: 13 March 2025
Read more about our ESA Awards
– 2025 ESA Awards launched
– Four secrets to winning an ESA award
– Unveiling the exclusivity of ESA Awards
Why must I pay UK VAT on my ceremony ticket/ table if I am not resident in the UK?
All UK hospitality is subject to VAT: because our ESA Awards ceremony comprises dinner and services and takes place in the UK, it is a legal requirement that all attendees are charged 20% VAT.
Will the ESA Fellowship be part of the ESA Awards ceremony?
Yes, the ESA Fellowship was introduced in 2023 and ESA Fellows are inducted each year. Nominations are always open.
I am interested in sponsoring the 2025 ESA Awards – what should I do?
Some sponsorship packages for the 2025 ESA Awards in partnership with Pearlfinders are still available, please email us to start a discussion. Existing partners are credited here.
What format did the 2025 entries take?
2025 applicants had a choice of entry format:
– a 250-word ‘elevator pitch’
– AND a pre-recorded 10-minute video presentation
– OR a written 2,000-word Word doc.
All entries were judged by a panel of experts announced by ESA in September 2024.
Was the judging process as rigorous as in previous years?
Yes. While entering remains easier than ever, the judging process is designed to ensure that the quality of submissions isn’t compromised. Entries were judged according to strict criteria via a multi-step process involving dozens of senior industry leaders from across Europe and the globe, and a blind scoring process.
How much does it cost to enter the ESA Awards?
Anyone may enter the ESA Awards and early birds and ESA members benefit from discounted entry. Depending on your level of ESA membership, you may also be entitled to enter some campaigns free of charge. Prices start at £125 (ex VAT & Eventbrite fees) per entry for early bird members and the more you enter, the cheaper it is per entry. Find the current entry fees listed on our direct Eventbrite link HERE and download the table of entry fees HERE.
Why should I enter the ESA Awards?
The ESA Awards is the pinnacle of European sponsorship recognition, and winning one puts you in elite company. 2024 winners include AEG, BAMA, Barclays, Barclaycard, BP, Electric Ireland, Irish Life, Londis, Just Eat, KIND Snacks, O2, OKX, SC Johnson, Sky Broadband, The Space Between, Three Ireland and Vodafone to name a few.
While there are many awards focused on the disciplines of sports marketing and sponsorship in specific countries, the ESA Awards has the broadest geographical scope and the widest focus across all parts of the European sponsorship space, from arts and culture to esports and gaming, and everything in between.
By entering the ESA Awards you will gain visibility across ESA’s digital platforms, bulletins and widely-followed social channels. You also demonstrate a commitment to the sponsorship community, allowing you to be seen as an active and innovative member and showcase your work undertaken in the last 18 months.
What counts as a European campaign?
All projects submitted must reflect sponsorship activity based within at least one European national market. However, given the global and predominately digital nature of some entries, please reach out to ESA or consult the ESA Awards rules of entry for further clarification.
How do I know which category to enter?
The 17 main ESA Awards categories are divided into three areas of focus – discipline (such as branded content or PR), sector (such as music or arts and culture), and special awards. If you are unsure of which categories work best for your sponsorship or campaign, feel free to contact us.
English isn’t my first language, am I at a disadvantage?
No. While entries must be submitted in English, ESA’s judging panel accommodates all those whose first language is not English. ESA receives entries from across Europe and sponsorship professionals from all nations are encouraged to take part.
How do I become an ESA Awards judge?
ESA encourages all senior industry professionals and leading marketers to apply to the ESA Awards judging panel. We want to gather a group of diverse, representative, knowledgeable sponsorship practitioners to judge our Awards. Becoming an ESA Awards judge is a stimulating and rewarding experience which demonstrates your standing in the industry and allows you to take an inside look at some of the continent’s biggest sponsorship campaigns.
Find more information and submit your 2025 ESA Awards judge application HERE.
The deadline is 23:59 BST on Friday 6 September 2024.
If you still have questions that have not been answered here, please contact us.