Young Lions Australia Competition

We’re on the hunt for the brightest minds in Australia’s advertising, media and marketing industries. Think you have what it takes to compete on the world stage? The Australian Young Lions Competition is your chance to prove your talent, flex your skills, and earn a spot at the prestigious Global Young Lions Competition.

KEY INFO

The Cannes Young Lions Australia competition is designed to mimic the global competition conditions and timeframe.

Competition categories:
ACA will run five competitions: Marketing (client-side marketers only), Media, Digital, Film and PR.

Competition timeframe:
Registrations will open in November 2025 and close on February 5 2026. The competition brief will be issued on February 12, with teams given 4 days to respond. Blind judging will determine the top three in each competition. The finalists will be invited to Sydney to present their solution live to the Executive Jury on March 27.

Industry support:
From industry bodies: AANA, MFA, IAB Australia & ACA

Mentoring:
From past winners and industry experts

Entry Fees:
Earlybird registration (until 5 pm December 19 2025) = $200 + GST per team
Regular registration (until midnight February 5 2026) = $300 + GST per team
Download the competition guide below for all the details!

To be eligible to enter in 2026, you must be:

• a team of two professionals
• Aged 30 or under, born on or after 26 June 1995
• a current employee within the advertising, media or marketing industry (certain categories welcome freelancers, please see categories and criteria below)
• an Australian resident or have a valid Australian work permit
• available to participate in the Global Young Lions Competition during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, held from June 22 – 26 in France.

See ‘2026 Categories’ and download the entry kits below for all the information you need. Additionally, please refer to the FAQ section at the top of the page for answers to some commonly asked questions.

Early bird entries close: 5pm AEDT, December 19 2025

Registrations close: Midnight, 5 February

Competition brief issued: 12 February 9 am AEDT

Webinar w/ charity & judges: 12 February

Entries due: Midnight AEDT, Sunday 15 February

Online judging: 23 February – 8 March

Exec juries review: 12 – 18 March

Finalists announced: 19 March

Live judging in Sydney & winners announced: 27 March

Winners compete in Cannes: 22 – 26 June

Get in quick for a $100 discount as part of the early bird entry period closing 5:00pm AEDT 19 December 2025.

Make sure your team has:

• read and agreed to the 2026 Official Young Lions Terms & Conditions
• downloaded the entry kit and checked the eligibility criteria for your chosen competition
• completed and submitted a registration form (one form per team of two)
• paid the non-refundable registration fee (prices vary based on when you register – $200 Earlybird / $300 Standard)

What are you waiting for? Take a look at the categories, download the kit and register below!

Register your early bird entry and save $100 on your entry fee until 5 pm 19 December 2025 ($200 + GST Earlybird / $300 + GST Standard)

Email us at canneslions@adcouncil.org.au

May the best Young Lions win!