EARLY BIRD TICKETS RELEASED FOR SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2026 EXHIBITION AT SOMERSET HOUSE

Early Bird tickets for the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 exhibition are now available, offering a 20 per cent discount until 5 March. The exhibition at Somerset House will showcase winning and shortlisted works, alongside a special immersive display and artist talk by Joel Meyerowitz.

Early Bird tickets have gone on sale for the highly anticipated Sony World Photography Awards 2026 exhibition, inviting photography enthusiasts and the culturally curious alike to secure their place at one of the most prestigious showcases in the global photographic calendar.

Returning to Somerset House from 17 April to 4 May 2026, the exhibition will bring together the winning and shortlisted images from the 2026 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards. With a 20 per cent discount available on tickets purchased before 5 March, organisers are encouraging visitors to take advantage of the limited-time offer.

Each year, the exhibition transforms the historic riverside venue into a visual journey through contemporary photography, presenting a curated collection that reflects the diversity, innovation and emotional depth of the medium. From powerful documentary narratives and arresting portraiture to experimental fine art and striking landscapes, the Awards are renowned for spotlighting both emerging talent and established voices from across the globe.

The 2026 exhibition promises not only to celebrate technical excellence but also to explore the themes and stories shaping our world today. Visitors can expect a rich tapestry of perspectives, spanning cultures, continents and creative approaches. By bringing these works together under one roof, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to view the breadth of international photography in a single, immersive setting.

A particular highlight this year is a special mixed-media presentation by Joel Meyerowitz, the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Photography award. Widely regarded as a pioneer of colour photography and an iconic figure in street photography, Meyerowitz’s work has long challenged conventions and expanded the possibilities of the medium.

The immersive display will trace key moments in his career, offering audiences a multi-sensory experience that goes beyond traditional framed prints. By integrating moving image, archival material and large-scale projections, the presentation aims to capture the restless curiosity and visual poetry that have defined Meyerowitz’s decades-long practice. For admirers of street photography in particular, the showcase offers an invaluable chance to engage more deeply with the work of an artist who helped redefine the genre.

To coincide with the exhibition, Meyerowitz will also deliver a special artist talk on 21 April at 7pm at Logan Hall in London. A limited number of combination tickets are available, granting entry to both the exhibition and the exclusive evening event. The talk is expected to draw significant interest, providing attendees with the opportunity to hear firsthand reflections on his career, creative process and the evolution of photography from film to digital eras.

The Sony World Photography Awards exhibition has, over the years, become a staple of London’s spring cultural calendar. Its location at Somerset House, with its grand neoclassical architecture and vibrant arts programme, provides a fitting backdrop for a celebration of visual storytelling. The venue’s spacious galleries allow visitors to move at their own pace, pausing to absorb the details, narratives and emotions embedded in each image.

Beyond the accolades and trophies, the Awards are widely respected for their role in nurturing photographic talent. Many past winners and shortlisted photographers have gone on to achieve international recognition, gallery representation and major commissions. For visitors, the exhibition offers not only aesthetic pleasure but also the thrill of discovery — the chance to encounter new voices and perspectives that may shape the future of the art form.

The Early Bird offer adds an additional incentive for audiences to plan ahead. With a 20 per cent saving available until 5 March, organisers hope to make the exhibition accessible to as wide an audience as possible. In an era when visual imagery saturates everyday life, the exhibition invites viewers to slow down and consider photography as a crafted, intentional and often transformative art.

For students, aspiring photographers and industry professionals, the exhibition also serves as a source of inspiration and education. Observing the technical mastery and conceptual ambition of the shortlisted works can provide valuable insight into current trends and standards within the field. Meanwhile, casual visitors may simply find themselves moved by the power of a single frame to tell a story or evoke a memory.

As anticipation builds for the 2026 edition, the combination of award-winning imagery, a landmark venue and the presence of Joel Meyerowitz positions this year’s exhibition as one not to be missed. Whether drawn by the promise of discovering new talent or the opportunity to engage with a master of the craft, visitors are being encouraged to secure their tickets early.

With doors opening on 17 April and the exhibition running until 4 May 2026, the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition once again offers London a celebration of vision, creativity and the enduring impact of the photographic image.