Scottish Podcast Awards 2026 logo

Celebrating Scotland’s voices in podcasting and audio.

Thursday 25th June 2026
Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow

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About the awards

The Scottish Podcast Awards have been created to celebrate and elevate the talent, creativity and diversity of Scotland’s podcasting and audio community. Thanks to our partnership with Spotify, entry to this year's awards is now free.

Founded by Sixty Steps Productions, the awards are part of a wider mission to spotlight Scottish creative industries and strengthen Scotland’s position as a modern creative hub.

The main purpose of the awards is to recognise work that contributes to or engages with Scotland’s cultural and creative landscape, whether through creators, stories or audiences.

While rooted in Scotland’s thriving creative audio scene, the Scottish Podcast Awards will also welcome entries from across the globe, as Scottish audiences are also huge consumers of the worldwide sector.

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What happens next

Categories announced: 21st January 2026

Entries open: 26th February 2026

Entry deadline: Extended until 15th March 2026

Judging commences: Late March/April 2026

Shortlist announced: May 2026

Awards night: Thursday 25th June 2026

Enter the awards

Apply to be a judge

become a partner

Why Entering the Scottish Podcast Awards Matters

Read more

The categories

The categories for the Scottish Podcast Awards are listed below, with a short description available for each as you click through.

We’ve shaped the categories to reflect the breadth, creativity and diversity of Scotland’s podcasting scene. There should be a category for everyone – and some creators may find there’s more than one that fits.

Arts & Culture

Creative practice and the cultural industries

Best Podcast Artwork

Visuals worthy of recognition

Best Video Podcast

Excelling in visual storytelling

Business 2 Business

Work, enterprise, ambition and innovation

Comedy

For those who make people laugh

Community Impact & Charity

Making a truly meaningful difference

Documentary

Telling real stories

Entertainment & Pop Culture

Imaginative storytelling across genres and styles

Fiction & Drama

Imaginative storytelling across genres and styles

Food, Drink & Hospitality

Turning lifestyle topics into engaging listening

Football

A genuine love of the beautiful game

Gaelic

A’ comharrachadh ath-bheothachadh na Gàidhlig

History, Folklore & Heritage

Bringing the past vividly to life

International

Exceptional audio craft from around the world

Interview

Where conversation is the main event

Lifestyles, Health & Wellbeing, Fashion & Beauty

Inspiring, informing and empowering audiences

Spotify Listeners' Choice

An opportunity to be recognised directly by the public

News, Politics & Current Affairs

What’s happening in the world right now

Scotland’s Emerging Talent

Shaping the future of Scottish audio

Sex, Family & Relationships

Open, inclusive and thoughtful conversations

Sport

Celebrating sporting life in all its forms

Travel & Outdoors

Exploration, adventure and the natural world

True Crime, Mystery & the Dark Stuff

Real-life crime and justice

Podcast of the Year

The best of the best

Judging & Criteria

The Scottish Podcast Awards will recognise excellence in creativity, storytelling, production, and impact.

Entries will be assessed by an independent judging panel made up of media professionals, cultural leaders, and industry experts ensuring fairness, diversity of perspective, and deep sector knowledge.

Podcasts will be judged against clear criteria, including:

Creativity & Originality

Distinctive voice, format, or approach

Production Quality

Clarity of audio, editing, and technical standards

Storytelling & Engagement

Ability to connect with and sustain an audience

Cultural Impact

Contribution to Scottish culture, language, or community

Innovation

Use of format, distribution, or audience interaction

Judges

We’re delighted to introduce the first tranche of judges for this year’s awards.

Meet the judges
LATEST NEWS

Scottish Podcast Awards Spotify Listeners’ Choice Shortlist Announcement

May 13, 2026

Vision Events Glasgow Announced as Official AV & Technical Partner for the Scottish Podcast Awards

April 3, 2026

The Future of Podcasting is Women

April 2, 2026

Entry Deadline Extended

March 9, 2026

Spotify joins the Scottish Podcast Awards as an Official Partner

February 26, 2026

When Can I Enter the Scottish Podcast Awards?

January 21, 2026
View all news

About Sixty Steps Productions

The Scottish Podcast Awards are delivered by Sixty Steps Productions, a Scottish event and production company based across Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee.

Our team has more than 50 years of combined experience in live event production, sponsorship, marketing, and cultural programming.

We’ve produced events of all sizes, including everything from awards ceremonies and branded experiences to ‘audience with’ vlogger/Instagram shows and, of course, live podcast events.

Get in touch with us

OUR PARTNERS

Official Media Partner
Official Partner
AV/Technical Partner
PR Partner

Thank you for your interest in becoming a judge for the Scottish Podcast Awards.

Our panel for 2026 is now complete, but if you'd like to stay in touch please enter your details below.

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Arts & Culture​

For podcasts that focus on creative practice and the cultural industries. This category celebrates audio exploring music, film, literature, theatre, visual art and the wider creative economy. Judges will be looking for insight into how art is made, experienced or critiqued, strong editorial voice, and thoughtful engagement with creative work and cultural production in Scotland.

Best podcast artwork

You cannot judge a book by it’s cover, but many of us do – and this new and creative genre has had the same effect for so many of us when browsing pages of podcasts. We believe the evidence is there that some of the artwork and graphics out there are more than worthy of recognition here.

Best Video Podcast

This category celebrates podcasts that excel in visual storytelling as well as audio. Entries should demonstrate how video enhances the podcast experience through strong on-screen presence, creative use of visuals, thoughtful production design, and seamless integration of sound and imagery. Judges will be looking for high production quality, originality, audience engagement, an original look or x-factor, and clear evidence that video is an essential part of the podcast’s storytelling and impact not just a filmed version of an audio show.

Business 2 Business

This category explores the world of work, enterprise, ambition and innovation. From entrepreneurial start-up stories and side hustles to leadership lessons, workplace culture and economic insight, this category celebrates podcasts that make business engaging and accessible. Interviews, analysis and narrative storytelling are all welcome -with bonus points awarded if you can make spreadsheets sound interesting!

Comedy

This category is for those who make people laugh. Scripted or unscripted, polished or gloriously chaotic, this category recognises comedy podcasts with a strong sense of humour, timing and originality. Judges will be listening for consistency, confidence and that elusive thing…actual laughs.

Community Impact & Charity

This category looks for podcasts created by charities or nonprofit organisations as part of their wider work ones that make a truly meaningful difference in communities and lives. It celebrates audio that raises awareness, strengthens local or cultural communities, amplifies underrepresented voices or drives positive change. Entries may be national in reach or deeply rooted in a specific place, neighbourhood or group. Judges will look for purpose, authenticity and evidence of impact, whether that impact is wide-reaching or felt most strongly at a local level.

Documentary

For factual podcasts that tell real stories with depth, care and narrative flair. This category celebrates long-form storytelling, investigative work and documentary craft. Judges will be looking for strong research, thoughtful structure and compelling storytelling, whether you’re uncovering hidden histories or exploring contemporary issues.

Entertainment & Pop Culture

This category is designed to recognise podcasts that entertain, delight and keep listeners coming back for more. Pop culture, celebrity life, fandom, big personalities, and making the ordinary and everyday funny, entertaining and sometimes even viral. If your podcast is about having a good time and bringing listeners along for the ride, this category is for you. Energy, format and audience connection are key.

Fiction & Drama

For audio that tells fictional stories through scripted audio. This category celebrates imaginative storytelling across genres and styles — from audio drama and serialised fiction to experimental narrative and genre-led storytelling. Judges will be looking for strong writing, compelling narrative structure, effective use of sound and music, and storytelling that fully embraces the creative possibilities of audio. Whether performance-led or concept-driven, intimate or epic, entries should demonstrate clarity of vision and excellence in scripted storytelling.

Food, Drink & Hospitality

For podcasts about how we live now. Food, travel, hobbies, personal interests, and everyday obsessions. This category rewards podcasts that turn lifestyle topics into engaging listening with warmth and originality.

Football

Unsurprisingly, as we are in Scotland, this category is expected to be one of the most popular. After all, it is our national game, and it will be the summer of a World Cup we are finally at! Which division your team is in will mean nothing to the judges, and transfer budgets or analytic models will count for zip. Teams may be men’s or women’s, professional or grassroots. Whether you’re analysing tactics, reliving great moments, diving into club culture or championing grassroots stories, judges will be looking for energy, insight and a genuine love of the beautiful game.

Gaelic

Airson pod-chaorlaidh a tha sa mhòr-chuid ann an Gàidhlig na h-Alba, seòrsa sam bith, cruth sam bith. Tha an roinn seo a’ comharrachadh ‘s a taisbeanadh ath-bheothachadh na Gàidhlig agus cultar nan Gàidheal ann an doighean cruthachaidh.

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For podcasts that are predominantly in Scottish Gaelic, any genre, any format. This section celebrates and showcases the revival of Gaelic and Gaelic culture in creative ways.

History, Folklore & Heritage

For podcasts that bring the past vividly to life. From ancient history to recent memory, this category celebrates podcasts that make history engaging, accessible and relevant. Judges will be listening for strong research, storytelling skill and the ability to turn dates and facts into compelling narratives.

International

Created to celebrate great podcasts beyond Scotland, this category is open to podcasts from anywhere in the world.  Podcasting is an inherently International medium, with audiences and creators crossing borders effortlessly, and this category is designed to acknowledge the international listening habits of Scottish podcast audiences.  Entries do not need to have any connection to Scotland, and we welcome outstanding podcasts that demonstrate excellence in storytelling, production, originality and impact on an International stage.  It is a cross-category award, so True Crime, History, Sport, etc. are all included here, as long as it is an International Podcast – and not even a Scottish granny will exclude you!

Interview

For podcasts where conversation is the main event. Whether you’re chatting to household names or unsung everyday heroes, this category rewards strong interviewing craft. Judges will be listening for thoughtful questions, genuine rapport, and the ability to draw out original insight and emotion.

Lifestyles, Health & Wellbeing, Fashion & Beauty

This category celebrates podcasts that inspire, inform and empower audiences through engaging content on modern living. Eligible entries may explore topics such as physical and mental health, grief and loss, personal growth, wellness practices, relationships, style, fashion, beauty and self-expression. Judges will be looking for authenticity, originality, strong storytelling and positive impact, offering listeners practical insights, fresh perspectives or meaningful conversations that enhance everyday life.

Listener’s Choice

The Listener’s Choice Award is decided by a public vote, giving podcasts the opportunity to be recognised directly by their audience. Voting in this category will open in May, with further details announced soon.

News, Politics & Current Affairs

This category celebrates audio covering what’s happening in the world right now. From investigative journalism and in-depth reporting to analysis and commentary, it recognises podcasts that inform and contextualise current events. Accuracy, balance and clarity are essential. Opinions welcome, misinformation not so much..

Scotland’s Emerging Talent

A category celebrating outstanding young podcasters, producers and audio creatives shaping the future of Scottish audio. For emerging talent making a big impression, this category celebrates new voices, fresh formats and standout debuts-the kind that make you think, “we’ll be hearing a lot more from you.”

It includes podcasts created by young independents, students, and those working within universities or colleges. The category also celebrates early-stage audio making, from coursework projects and student-led shows to experimental ideas and first-time productions. Judges will be looking for creativity, storytelling potential and thoughtful use of audio, with an emphasis on learning, ambition and promise rather than polish.


Sex, Family & Relationships

A wide-ranging category for podcasts exploring intimacy, dating, love and human connection in all their forms. This category celebrates open, inclusive and thoughtful conversations about relationships and sexuality, including LGBTQIA+ experiences, diverse gender identities and a wide range of relationship structures. Judges will look for responsibility, warmth and the ability to tackle big topics with honesty, care and, where appropriate, a sense of humour. This category also incorporates Parenting and Family. It explores family life in all its messy, joyful, complicated glory from parenting advice to honest conversations about caregiving, relationships and growing up. Entries should feel relatable, supportive and real.


Sport

For podcasts celebrating sporting life in all its forms OUTSIDE of football. Be it rugby, NFL, golf, shinty, ice hockey, athletics or any more niche sports. Judges will be looking for energy, passion, humour, intellectual insight and a genuine love of the sport.

Travel & Outdoors

This category recognises podcasts that celebrate exploration, adventure and the natural world. Entries may focus on travel experiences, destinations, cultures, outdoor pursuits, sustainability or time spent in nature – whether close to home or further afield. Judges will be looking for engaging storytelling, originality, strong production values and content that inspires curiosity, connection or a sense of adventure in listeners.

True Crime, Mystery & the Dark Stuff

For podcasts exploring real-life crime and justice. This category recognises strong storytelling, investigation and narrative structure – but with responsibility at its core. Judges will consider ethical approach, research depth and sensitivity to victims and communities.

Podcast of the Year

The best of the best. Podcast of the Year is not a separate entry category. It is chosen by the judges from the winners of each category above and awarded to the production that stands out for exceptional storytelling, originality, craft and impact – the one that the judges simply couldn’t forget.

Please complete the form below to register your interest in submitting your podcast to the Scottish Podcast Awards.

Full entry information will be shared with you when nominations open.

By submitting this form, I agree to Scottish Podcast Awards storing my information as detailed in the Privacy Policy.*

Be part of Scotland's Creative Story.

By submitting this form, I agree to Scottish Podcast Awards storing my information as detailed in the Privacy Policy.*