Introducing the Great British Theatres Awards

To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we have launched a new awards programme, dedicated to the theatre buildings and spaces where extraordinary performances come to life and communities gather to connect.

While many awards rightly celebrate the talented people who bring theatre and performance to life, the Great British Theatres Awards are about something different: the spaces themselves - the buildings where the magic happens.

Theatres play a vital role in the UK’s cultural life. They are places where stories are shared and creativity flourishes; they bring communities together, support regeneration and placemaking, and contribute significantly to local and national economies.

The Great British Theatres Awards will recognise excellence across 10 open award categories, ranging from awards for particular types of buildings to categories to celebrate how those buildings are used. See the full list of Great British Theatres Awards categories.

Public nominations are welcomed and theatre owners, theatre operators, local authorities, architects and theatre consultants are encouraged to make a nomination for a theatre they think deserves recognition in one, or more, of the categories.

In addition to the ten public categories, the panel of expert judges will crown one theatre as the Great British Theatre 2026. This will be awarded to one building that best exemplifies the spirit of the Great British Theatres Awards.

The judges will also present the Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising exceptional long-term contribution to theatre buildings and cultural infrastructure.

Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust, comments “In our 50th year, it feels vital to bring the sector together to champion the places and spaces where theatre happens. From grassroots community venues to landmark new builds, our theatres are more than just auditoriums, they are civic landmarks, cultural engines, and the beating heart of communities across the country. This is our moment to recognise them with pride.”

Entries will open on Thursday 16 April with a simple application process.. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 11th June.

The shortlist of nominees will be announced in September, when tickets for the awards ceremony will go on sale. The inaugural Great British Theatres Awards will take place on 2 November at Central Hall Westminster.

The Great British Theatres Awards form a centrepiece of Theatres Trust’s 50th anniversary year, celebrating five decades of protecting and championing the UK’s theatre buildings and looking ahead to the next generation of spaces.

Read more about the Great British Theatres Awards and sign up to our newsletter to be reminded when applications open.