- FvH opens nominations window for 7th edition of its annual awards, celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion in the game
- You can nominate for FREE in 12 categories, with panel of judges to decide shortlists
- Those shortlisted will be invited to special gala evening in London in February 2026
LGBTQ+ people and allies from across football, in the UK and abroad, are being encouraged to submit their nominations for the Football v Homophobia Awards 2026.
The window is now OPEN, with 12 categories on offer in which to recognise achievements around inclusion and belonging in the game.
ACCESS THE NOMINATIONS FORM HERE!
This is the seventh edition of the FvH Awards, and once again, a panel of expert judges will assess the quality of all the nominations received before deciding the shortlists.
Every shortlisted entrant will be invited to the gala awards ceremony, which will also serve as a community celebration with music, entertainment and empowering speeches.
This time around, the ceremony is scheduled to take place in central London in early February 2026.
The 12 categories of the FvH Awards span all levels of football. According to the listed criteria, you can nominate a club, league, group, organisation or individual for consideration by the judging panel.
The FvH Awards is the only dedicated event of its kind for our community of LGBTQ+ people and allies in the world’s most popular sport.
In previous years, the gala ceremony has been held at the National Football Museum in Manchester, while in March 2025, FvH Scotland hosted the event at the beautiful Òran Mór venue in Glasgow’s West End.
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Those honoured included Leeds United, who claimed the coveted Professional Game Award for the first time, and Manchester Laces FC, who picked up the Women’s Game prize, sponsored by Sky Sports.
There were double celebrations for Saltire Thistle (Grassroots and FvH Scotland) and for Sheffield United’s LGBTQ+ fan group Rainbow Blades (Supporters Group and FvH Hero for James Laley).
African Pride Games (South Africa) took the Fare International Award; podcaster Jack Murley was victorious in the Football Media category, sponsored by the Football Writers’ Association; and there was also success for Dulwich Hamlet (Semi-Pro Game), the FA of Wales (FvH Cymru) and Lincolnshire FA (English County FA Award).
Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme were the inaugural winners of the Community Trust / Foundation category, while the PFA’s Outstanding Contribution Award went to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in recognition of his vocal allyship towards his brother and LGBTQ+ fans more broadly.
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The opening of the nominations window comes at the end of a year which has been characterised by activism and solidarity, set against a global backdrop of diminishing LGBTQ+ rights.
Although queer visibility and representation in football are increasingly being challenged, there have been numerous examples of inspirational courage and campaigning spirit.
FvH campaign director Lou Englefield said: “In these tough times, it’s more crucial than ever that we show appreciation for those making change that benefits our diverse communities.
“If you haven’t nominated for the FvH Awards before, we urge you to check out the categories and criteria. The event is growing year on year, and there are great opportunities for everyone.
“Each edition of the Awards is a chance to look back on the previous 12 months or so and shine a light on all the achievements in inclusion, which are often down to volunteers whose efforts would otherwise go unsung.
“The gala evening in London in February 2026 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of queer joy in football. Our judges can’t wait to read the nominations, and we’re also asking all our supporters to share the link as widely as possible so we can cast the net far and wide in this search for our new shortlistees.”
Click here to read the criteria for the 12 categories at the FvH Awards 2026 before submitting one or more nominations before the deadline on SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER, 2025 (11.59pm).
Remember – you can nominate your own club, your group, or even yourself, and it’s FREE to enter.
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FvH Awards Roll of Honour
NOMINATE HERE for the FvH Awards 2026 and check out more content on the Awards, including reports on past editions – 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (via tottenhamhotspur.com, and images).
Football v Homophobia is an international initiative that exists to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression at all levels of football.
Launched in 2010, Football v Homophobia runs an annual Month of Action, which takes place every February in what is also LGBT+ History Month.
The Month of Action calls on individuals and organisations at all levels of football to take meaningful action to create more LGBTQ+ inclusive spaces in the game and address all forms of discrimination.
A version of this article first appeared on Sports Media LGBT+.