Political Podcast Awards 2026

The first and only dedicated showcase of the UK's political podcast content

The 2026 Political Podcast Awards, sponsored by YouTube, marked another successful year for the UK’s only dedicated celebration of political podcasting.

Held at Sinfonia Smith Square, the awards brought together senior figures from Westminster, leading journalists, and some of the most influential voices in British political podcasting. With an expanded programme and 11 awards presented on the night, the event reflected both the continued growth of the sector and the high standards of political audio in the UK.
Anthony Scaramucci joined host Gyles Brandreth on stage, providing insight and perspective from both sides of the Atlantic, while maintaining the evening’s trademark warmth and wit.
With 25 of the UK’s leading political podcasts shortlisted, competition across categories was strong and the quality of entries exceptionally high.
Congratulations to all of the 2026 winners, including George Osborne and Ed Balls, whose podcast Political Currency was awarded Political Podcast of the Year.
Thank you to YouTube, Diageo and all of our sponsors and partners for their support in making the awards possible.
We look forward to returning in 2027.

Take a look back at the highlights from 2026:

Award Winners

 

Quite Right!, The Spectator

This award is for the most impactful podcast interview of the year – one that grabbed attention (and headlines) across the UK.

This award is for the political podcast format judges feel really stands apart from the competition – engaging its audience and offering something entirely different.

This award is for the most jaw-dropping, eye-catching, headline-grabbing story from a political podcast over the last year.

Political podcasts would be nothing without the brilliant political journalists, commentators, and political figures who front them. This award is for the presenter, or presenting team, going above and beyond to engage, entertain and inform their audience.

The headline award of the night – this will go to the political podcast judges feel has had the most impact in the last year – attracting audiences, breaking scoops and generating headlines.

Whilst political podcasts are hosted by senior journalists and well-known politicians, this award goes to the up-and-coming political podcaster who’s shown mastery of their medium in the last year – capturing audience attention and breaking great stories.

Politics doesn’t have to be serious all the time! This award is for the political podcast ‘moment of mirth’ of the year – the event or segment that got the audience smiling.

Behind every great podcast is a great producer. Whether getting great guests or keeping the show on the road, this award is for the producer judges believe has been integral to the success of their podcast and consistently produced excellence.

A brand new award this year, the Student Podcast award celebrates the unique contributions of students to political podcasting. With a range of political podcasts coming out of universities and colleges across the UK, the judges look forward to seeing entries from up-and-coming young people producing truly brilliant audio content.

This celebration of the best of British political podcasting will take place in the iconic Smith Square Hall, in the very heart of Westminster.

Award Winners

There’s been an explosion of great new innovative political podcasts in the last year. This award will go to the podcast judges think has broken the mould and stood apart from the other new kids on the block in the last year.

This award is for the most impactful podcast interview of the year – one that grabbed attention (and headlines) across the UK.

This award is for the political podcast format judges feel really stands apart from the competition – engaging its audience and offering something entirely different.

This award is for the most jaw-dropping, eye-catching, headline-grabbing story from a political podcast over the last year.

Political podcasts would be nothing without the brilliant political journalists, commentators, and political figures who front them. This award is for the presenter, or presenting team, going above and beyond to engage, entertain and inform their audience.

The headline award of the night – this will go to the political podcast judges feel has had the most impact in the last year – attracting audiences, breaking scoops and generating headlines.

Whilst political podcasts are hosted by senior journalists and well-known politicians, this award goes to the up-and-coming political podcaster who’s shown mastery of their medium in the last year – capturing audience attention and breaking great stories.

Politics doesn’t have to be serious all the time! This award is for the political podcast ‘moment of mirth’ of the year – the event or segment that got the audience smiling.

Behind every great podcast is a great producer. Whether getting great guests or keeping the show on the road, this award is for the producer judges believe has been integral to the success of their podcast and consistently produced excellence.

A brand new award this year, the Student Podcast award celebrates the unique contributions of students to political podcasting. With a range of political podcasts coming out of universities and colleges across the UK, the judges look forward to seeing entries from up-and-coming young people producing truly brilliant audio content.

This celebration of the best of British political podcasting will take place in the iconic Smith Square Hall, in the very heart of Westminster.

Award
Judges

John Doe

Jane Doe

John Doe

Are you a producer or presenter making waves in the world of Westminster podcasting? Nominate your podcast today for a chance to win big at the Political Podcast Awards 2026.

Got a favourite podcast you want to see triumph in 2025? Voting opens for the People’s Choice Awards on 1st November 2024 – come back then to cast your ballot!

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Podcast Now!