MAD STARS, has officially opened its 2026 call for entries. Now in its 19th edition, the global awards program invites creative work from around the world that reflects how ideas are developed, executed, and evaluated.

Entries for MAD STARS 2026 are open worldwide until June 15 and may be submitted via the official website at madstars.org.

Restructured Around How Creativity Is Evaluated Today

For 2026, MAD STARS has updated its category structure to reflect how creative work is increasingly assessed in practice. Rather than organising categories solely by format or medium, the awards are structured around two key dimensions – problem-solving effectiveness and positive societal impact.

The SOLUTION Group brings together categories previously under Strategy and Entertainment, evaluating how effectively ideas are translated into execution to address real business and communication challenges.

The POSITIVE IMPACT Group focuses on creative work that delivers meaningful and sustainable change. Entries are assessed based on public relevance, responsibility, and long-term value. The group comprises SDGs Stars, Diverse Insights Stars, Place Brand Stars, and the newly established Health Stars.

Health Stars and Updated Standards for AI-Enabled Craft

MAD STARS has refined its approach to AI-enabled creativity with the introduction of a new Use of AI sub-category within the Craft section. This update recognises AI as a tool in creative production while maintaining clear distinctions between concept, execution, and authorship.

To support transparency and fair evaluation, all entries are required to disclose the use of AI technologies during production, including details on scope and methodology where applicable. MAD STARS may request supporting materials as part of the verification process.

Reflecting the growing importance of health and wellness communication, Health Stars has been added.

A Global Jury with Broad Industry Representation

Judging for MAD STARS 2026 will be conducted by a global jury of more than 350 professionals spanning marketing, advertising, digital, media, and PR. All submissions undergo one preliminary judging round followed by three final judging rounds. Two of the final rounds will be conducted in person in Busan, with 40 on-site final jurors participating together.

The Executive Jury for MAD STARS 2026 brings together senior industry leaders whose work has shaped creativity and marketing at a global level. The first Executive Jury members to be announced include:

Raja Rajamannar, Senior Fellow and former Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Mastercard, whose work has shaped contemporary marketing leadership.

Aurora Straton, Creative Lead at Google, whose work spans next-generation storytelling and technology-driven creative innovation across multiple global industries.

Tara McKenty, Chief Creative Officer of AKQA Australia & New Zealand, whose work focuses on integrated and digital-first brand building across international markets.

Entry Schedule, Awards, and Festival Details

Professional entries are subject to tiered entry fees based on the submission period, while the General Public division remains free to enter.

Key deadlines for MAD STARS 2026 are:

• 1st Deadline (Early Bird): May 8
• 2nd Deadline (Regular): May 29
• Final Deadline: June 15

Finalists will be announced in July. Awards include Grand Prix, Gold, Silver, and Bronze by category. The highest honor, Grand Prix of the Year, is awarded to the most outstanding work among the Grand Prix winners of the SOLUTION Group and POSITIVE IMPACT Group.

MAD STARS 2026 will take place from August 26 to 28, 2026, in Busan, South Korea, bringing together creative work from around the world. Hosted in South Korea, a market with significant global influence across culture, content, and brand-driven creativity, the festival provides a global stage for ideas shaping today’s marketing and communications landscape. Find everything you need to know to enter at madstars.org