About Us

The Next Up Awards is a unique ceremony dedicated to celebrating the achievements of children in the performing arts. After a sold-out inaugural ceremony in 2025, we are preparing for an even bigger and more impactful event in 2026.

Our mission is to shine a spotlight on the stars of tomorrow - giving young performers the recognition and encouragement they deserve, while creating a supportive community for families, educators and industry professionals.

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How We’re Different

Unlike most award shows, The Next Up Awards puts families and young performers at the heart of the process:​

• Fair & Transparent Selection: A panel of industry professionals carefully reviews all footage submitted, selecting the top 3 finalists in each category.

• Public Vote: The finalists’ performances (Clip from show/theatre performance etc) are shared publicly, allowing the community to vote for the winners - with the evidence of each child’s incredible talent right there for all to see.

• Recognition for All Finalists:

  • Every finalist receives a VIP goodie bag on the night.

  • Runners-up receive a medal and the opportunity to take a bow on stage, recognising their talent, hard work and dedication.

This process ensures the awards are inclusive, transparent and celebratory, giving every child a true moment to shine.

New for 2026

We have some very exciting announcements with some incredible partnerships secured. Keep an eye out!​

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Sponsorship Packages

Diamond Sponsor – £5,500

(Only 1 available – Main Event Sponsor)

• Exclusive naming rights: “The Next Up Awards 2026, sponsored by [Your Company]”

• Naming rights to a major award (e.g. NEW AWARD TO BE ANNOUNCED, sponsored by [Your Company])

• Mention in all press and social media announcements

• Logo on all promotional materials, tickets, press releases & social media

• Prime branding across the venue (red carpet, stage, screens)

• Full-page feature in the event programme

• Opportunity to present the Main Award of the Night on stage

• 4 VIP tickets + VIP area access

• VIP goodie bags for 4 guests

• Special thank-you mention during the ceremony

• Branding & flyer inclusion at major convention in 2026

 

Platinum Sponsor – £1,000

(Only 1 available)

• Naming rights to a new category award (e.g. NEW AWARD TO BE ANNOUNCED, sponsored by [Your Company])

• Press and social media mentions for that award

• Social media & website thank-you

• Half-page advert in the event programme

• Opportunity to present the award on stage

• 3 VIP tickets + VIP area access

• Thank-you mention during the ceremony

• Branding & flyer inclusion at major convention in 2026

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Gold Sponsor – £400

(Up to 6 available – includes Gold PLUS)

• Naming rights to an award (e.g. Best Child in a Musical, sponsored by [Your Company])

• Recognition as a supporting sponsor across marketing & signage

• Logo on website & social media

• Quarter-page advert in event programme

• 2 VIP tickets + VIP area access

• Thank-you mention during the ceremony

• Branding & flyer inclusion at major convention in 2026

 

Gold PLUS – £300 + donation of a FREE workshop/course for our fundraising raffle.

Includes everything above 
 

Silver Sponsor – £300

(Up to 10 available – includes Silver PLUS)

• Recognition as a supporting sponsor across marketing & signage

• Logo on website & social media

• Quarter-page advert in event programme

• 2 VIP tickets + VIP area access

• Thank-you mention during the ceremony

• Flyer inclusion at major convention in 2026

 

Silver PLUS – £200 + donation of a FREE workshop/course for our fundraising raffle.

Includes everything above 
 

Bronze Sponsor – Sponsor a Service

(Only 4 available)
Support a specific service or element of the evening:

• Photography 

• Videography 

• Stage Production 

• Event Backdrops/Red Carpet

Benefits include:

• Naming rights to an award (e.g. Best Child in a Musical, sponsored by [Your Company])

• Logo in the programme and on social media

• Thank-you announcement during the ceremony

• 2 VIP tickets + VIP area access

• Quarter-page advert in the programme

• Flyer inclusion at major convention in 2026

Awards Available to Sponsor

Industry Awards

• Best Child in a Musical

• Best Child in a Play

• Best Child in a Commercial

• Best Child in a Film

• Best Child in a Series

Non-Industry Awards

• Most Promising Child Actor/Actress

• Most Promising Child Vocalist

• Most Promising Child Classical Dancer

• Most Promising Child Commercial Dancer

Special Awards

• The Limitless Performer Award (Children with additional needs/disabilities)

• NEW AWARD TO BE ANNOUNCED

• NEW AWARD TO BE ANNOUNCED
   

If we secure all sponsor partners, ticket sales revenue will go directly back into the arts - funding scholarships and opportunities for children.

 

Advertising Only Packages

Package A - £200

• Logo in the programme and on social media

• Thank-you announcement during the ceremony

• 1 Complimentary ticket

• Quarter-page advert in the programme

• Flyer inclusion at major convention in 2026

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Package B - £150 plus a Workshop/Class/Product to add to our raffle

• Logo in the programme and on social media

• Thank-you announcement during the ceremony

• 1 Complimentary ticket

• Quarter-page advert in the programme

• Flyer inclusion at major convention in 2026

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Package C - £150

• Logo in the programme and on social media

• Thank-you announcement during the ceremony

• Quarter-page advert in the programme

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Package D - £100 plus a Workshop/Class/Product to add to our raffle

• Logo in the programme and on social media

• Thank-you announcement during the ceremony

• Quarter-page advert in the programme

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Why Partner With Us?

• Visibility: Your brand in front of thousands of families, schools & arts professionals, plus 35,000+ attendees at major convention in 2026.

• Positive Impact: Directly support children in performing arts.

• Legacy: Be part of building a new, exciting, annual tradition that will inspire for years to come.

​Let’s Collaborate

We would love to tailor a package that works for your brand. Together, we can ensure that The Next Up Awards 2026 is bigger, brighter and even more inspiring.