We’re thrilled to announce two major milestones for the National AI Awards as we head into an exciting year for the UK’s AI community.
A New Home for the 2026 Awards Ceremony
As part of our continued growth, we are excited to announce that the National AI Awards will debut at an all-new London venue in 2026:
The Royal Lancaster London—a five-star luxury destination on the edge of Hyde Park.
This venue offers a refined and elevated backdrop for our biggest ceremony yet as we celebrate the organisations, teams, and individuals shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Staying true to our founding principles, the Awards maintain a strict no pay-to-play policy. Entry is free, judging is fully independent, and all finalists receive a complimentary ticket to attend the ceremony—ensuring accessibility, inclusivity, and a focus on genuine achievement.
A New Partnership for 2026
The National AI Awards 2026 has officially partnered with The AI Summit London, bringing together two flagship moments in the UK AI calendar to amplify excellence, accelerate innovation, and create new pathways for impact. This collaboration forms a connected journey for the AI ecosystem – beginning with recognition on 9th June at the National AI Awards, and continuing with commercial activation, thought leadership, and collaboration at The AI Summit London on 10–11 June 2026.
Here’s what this partnership means from our side, in the words of Fergus Bruce, CEO at Future Tech Events:
“We are delighted to deepen our relationship with The AI Summit. This partnership represents a unified powerhouse for London, bringing together the ‘who’s who’ of the industry with the ‘what’s next’ in technology. While the Awards shine a spotlight on the visionaries reshaping our world, the Summit provides the platform for growth. By running these events side-by-side, we ensure that celebration is immediately paired with opportunity, creating an ecosystem where innovators are not just honored, but empowered to scale.”
And from Caroline Hicks, Senior Director at The AI Summit London:
“We’re thrilled to partner with the National AI Awards for 2026 to strengthen London’s position as the epicentre of AI excellence. Together, we’re creating a unified platform where recognition meets real-world transformation. The National AI Awards on 9 June will spotlight the pioneers reshaping our world, while The AI Summit London on June 10–11 delivers strategic insights, connections and commercial pathways these innovators need to fuel their next breakthrough.
As we enter our 10th year, this collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering not just inspiration but real business outcomes. It’s the full story of AI excellence – recognition followed by acceleration – and it’s exactly what today’s AI ecosystem needs.”
We cannot wait to welcome the community into this milestone week for UK AI. Nominations for the National AI Awards 2026 open on 5 January 2026, and we encourage innovators, teams, and organisations from across the sector to get involved.
Stay tuned for updates on award nominations, special events, and the expanded programming made possible through our partnership with The AI Summit London.
Learn more about the National AI Awards.
Sponsorship for 2026 Is Now Open
Alongside our venue announcement, we are pleased to confirm that sponsorship opportunities for the National AI Awards 2026 are now officially open. This is a unique chance for organisations to align themselves with excellence, support the UK’s AI innovators, and gain visibility at one of the most influential nights in the tech calendar.
Find out more about 2026 Sponsorship here.