Skip to content

Cardiff Excellence Awards

Register your interest
Cardiff Excellence Awards award ceremony

Cardiff Excellence Awards 2026 on film

Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, United Kingdom | Award Ceremony

Cardiff Excellence Awards 2026-27

Someone deserves to be recognised. It could be you.

Behind every achievement is a story of courage, determination and people making a difference. Cardiff Excellence Awards celebrates those stories and the remarkable people behind them.

Whether you're recognising someone who inspires you, celebrating your own journey or supporting somebody special, there's a place for you here.

Explore the AwardsFind My Award
Free to nominate. No ticket or payment is ever needed to take part.Explore the categories
Ceremony
Thursday, 29 October 2026
Venue
Cardiff City Stadium
Location
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Award Themes
4

Counting Down to Award Day

-
Days
-
Hrs
-
Min
-
Sec
Themes|Why Enter|Categories|Contact
0

Unique Themes

0

Unforgettable Day

0%

Free to Nominate

Find My Award

Find the award that fits your story

Six quick questions. It takes about a minute.

Question 1 of 6. Who would you like to recognise?

There is no wrong answer here, and you can change it later.

Question 1 of 6: Who0%

No account, no email and no payment to see your results.

Cardiff Excellence Awards 2026 Finalists: Business Excellence in Cardiff
Cardiff Excellence Awards 2026 Finalists Presentation: Every Finalist and Award Category
Cardiff Excellence Awards 2026 Nominees in Their Own Words, Part 1
Cardiff Excellence Awards 2026 Nominees in Their Own Words, Part 2
Why Recognition Matters

Sometimes, all it takes is someone believing in you

Most of the people who deserve recognition never ask for it. They get on with the work, look after the people around them and rarely stop to notice how far they have come.

Hard work, seen

Recognition says out loud what the people around someone already know: the effort was noticed, and it mattered.

A moment to celebrate

Most achievements pass without a pause. A nomination is a reason to stop, look back and celebrate how far someone has come.

Confidence to keep going

Being told your work stands out can be the encouragement that carries you into the next chapter.

A story that inspires others

When one person is recognised, others see what is possible, and the people who helped along the way share the moment too.

Who Would You Like to Recognise?

You know someone who deserves this

Choose who you have in mind and we will start you in the right place. Not sure which award is right? We will help you find it.

Not sure which award is right for you? We'll help you find it.

Help me find the right award
Cardiff Excellence Awards 2026 Nominees in Their Own Words, Part 3
Welsh Business Awards 2026 Combined Nominee Showcase: Cardiff, South Wales and North Wales
Four stages, one unforgettable day

Which stage is waiting for you?

Every one of these was made for a different kind of story: the business built from nothing, the woman who did it all at once, the leader people follow, the voice people listen to. Open each one, and see whose story it was made for. Perhaps someone you know. Perhaps you.

Best Business AwardsVisit website Working Women AwardsVisit website The Legacy of Leadership AwardVisit website Iconic Influencer AwardsVisit website

The flagship celebration of excellence

For the business you built when everyone said it could not be done.

Honouring the standout businesses, teams and entrepreneurs setting the standard for the region.

  • Founders and owners
  • Fast-growing firms
  • Family businesses
Nominate someone This is meExplore Best Business Awards

Most-entered awards

Not sure which? Find My Award in a minute
See every theme and its story
How the Recognition Journey Works

From a nomination to the day itself

Every stage below is a moment of recognition in its own right. Here is what each one means, what happens next and how you will hear about it.

  1. 1

    Nomination

    Someone has put you forward, or you have entered yourself.

    What happens next
    We let the nominee know, and ask them to confirm their nomination.
    Anything to do?
    Confirm your nomination, then add your story, a photo or a short video if you would like to.
    How you will hear
    By email, with a link to your own nominee page.
  2. 2

    Eligibility review

    We check each confirmed entry fits the award it is in.

    What happens next
    Entries that fit move on to the shortlist stage.
    Anything to do?
    None, unless we ask you for a detail.
    How you will hear
    By email, only if we need something from you.
  3. 3

    Shortlist

    Your entry has been chosen from the entries in its award.

    What happens next
    The shortlist is published on this website.
    Anything to do?
    None. You are welcome to share the news.
    How you will hear
    By email, and on the Shortlist page.
  4. 4

    Semi-finalist

    Your entry has gone through to the next round.

    What happens next
    The finalists are chosen from the semi-finalists.
    Anything to do?
    None.
    How you will hear
    By email, and on the Semi-Finalists page.
  5. 5

    Finalist

    You are one of the final entries in your award, and invited to the awards day.

    What happens next
    The winners are announced on the day: Thursday, 29 October 2026 at Cardiff City Stadium.
    Anything to do?
    None is required. Coming along on the day is your choice.
    How you will hear
    By email, and on the Finalists page.
  6. 6

    Winner

    Your award is announced in the room, with the people who helped you get there.

    What happens next
    Your recognition is yours to share and celebrate.
    Anything to do?
    None.
    How you will hear
    On the awards day itself.

Reaching one stage is never a promise of the next. Every stage is a recognition worth celebrating.

Read the nominee guide
Real People, Real Stories

The people this season is about

Real nominees and finalists, in their own words and on film.

The Finalists

Meet the finalists of the Cardiff Excellence Awards

View all finalists

The Shortlist

Meet the shortlisted nominees of the Cardiff Excellence Awards

View the shortlist
More Than an Awards Ceremony

The recognition is special. The people you meet could be just as memorable.

A day of celebration and community: sharing the moment with finalists, their families and colleagues, meeting people from across the region and hearing the stories behind every award.

The Showcase
The Showcase
Stage Presentations
Stage Presentations
Networking
Networking
Live Entertainment
Live Entertainment
The Celebration
The Celebration
Ways to Get Involved

There is a place for you here

Whether you are recognising someone, cheering them on or helping the day happen, here is how to be part of it.

  • Nominate

    Tell us about someone whose hard work deserves to be seen. It is free.

    Nominations for the next season open soon.

  • Vote

    Cheer on someone you admire in the People's Choice vote.

    People's Choice voting is not open at the moment.

  • Attend

    Come and celebrate the people who make a difference, and be part of their moment.

    About the Day

  • Become a Judge

    Bring your experience to recognising achievement in your field.

    Judge applications are not open at the moment.

  • Sponsor

    Support recognition and meet the people taking part. Sponsors never decide results.

    Explore Sponsorship

  • Become a Partner

    Work with us as a media, community or industry partner.

    Become a Partner
Questions & Answers

Everything you need to know

Still curious? The essentials are below, entering is simpler than you might think.

People, teams, businesses and organisations based in or serving Cardiff. Each award says exactly who it is open to, so it is worth a look at the award before you nominate.

Yes. Putting yourself forward is welcome, and it is a perfectly good way to share your story. Choose Myself in Find My Award, or start a nomination for yourself.

Yes. Nominating, entering and confirming a nomination are free, in as many awards as fit.

Every nominee is told about their nomination and asked to confirm it. Confirmed entries are checked to make sure they fit the award they are in, and then considered for the shortlist. You will hear from us by email at each stage.

No. You never need a ticket to be nominated, to confirm a nomination or to move through any stage. Tickets are simply for anyone who would like to be in the room on the day.

No. Sponsors support the awards, and they have no say in who is shortlisted or who wins.

The Cardiff Excellence Awards awards day is Thursday, 29 October 2026 at Cardiff City Stadium.

Nominations for 2026-27 are open. Free to enter.

Someone's hard work deserves to be seen. You could be the reason it is.

Know someone who quietly goes above and beyond? Tell us their story. A nomination could be a wonderful way to let them know their efforts haven't gone unnoticed.

Save the date: Thursday, 29 October 2026
Nominate Someone Special

Free to enter. Takes 10 minutes. No payment, ever.

Cardiff Excellence Awards 2026 Finalists Reel
Register your interest