Important Dates

This year, the ADC Annual Awards will accept entries in three submission periods. Please note that entry fees increase during each deadline period, based on when an entry is completed in the system, regardless of entry creation date. Please refer to the disciplines or fees pages for more information.

• Regular Deadline: Friday, January 23, 2026 at 11:59PM PT
• Extended Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11:59PM PT
  Please note that the entry fee will increase by $60 for each entry completed in the system between January 24th and February 6th.
  
• Final Deadline: Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11:59PM PT
  Please note that the entry fee will increase by an additional $60 for each entry completed in the system between February 7th and February 20th.
  
• Payment Deadline:
  All payments must reach The One Club within 15 days of the invoice date.
  
  
IMPORTANT NOTE:
ADC is accepting physical entry materials in the Book Design, Brand / Communication Design, Magazine / Newspaper Design and Packaging Design disciplines.
All physical entry materials must be received at The One Club no later than March 4, 2026.
Please refer to the submission media page for shipping instructions.

• First Round: Digital entries will be judged online in February and March 2026.
  Physical entries will be judged in-person in March 2026.
• Second Round: Digital entries that advance from the First Round will be judged online March through April 2026.
  Physical entries that advance from the First Round will be judged in-person in March 2026.
• Discussions: Juries will participate in Final Discussions to determine the Finalists (Cube and Merit winners) in April 2026.