Official regulation · Season 2027
Three international qualification rounds, a live Semifinal and a Grand Final — how to enter PhotOlympic 2027, what it costs, and how photographers are selected.
These rules govern every photographer entering PhotOlympic 2027. Read them before uploading your first photograph — they define what you can submit, how much it costs and how the semifinal is formed.
PhotOlympic 2027 consists of three international photography qualification competitions, followed by a live Semifinal and Grand Final.
Each qualification round is an independent competition, offering photographers opportunities to earn awards, certificates, and points in accordance with the patronage regulations. The annual entry fee allows photographers to participate in all three qualification rounds with a single payment.
Each qualification round features four themes. Photographers may submit up to five photographs per theme, allowing a maximum of 20 photographs per round and up to 60 photographs across all three rounds.
The themes are announced separately for each qualification round. Participants in the second and third qualification rounds must submit entirely new photographs corresponding to the assigned themes. Photographs submitted in previous rounds may not be resubmitted.
Photographers may participate in the first qualification round free of charge by submitting one photograph in each of the four themes, without paying any entry fee. These photographs are judged under the same conditions as paid entries and are equally eligible for awards and electronic certificates.
Free participation is available only in the first qualification round and does not include additional photographs or participation in subsequent rounds. Photographers who initially participate free of charge may upgrade to the annual entry option at any time before the first round's submission deadline.
Two ways to enter — one payment for the whole season, or a single fee per qualification round. IAAP members pay half.
€45per season
Photographers may pay the annual entry fee at any time before or during the first qualification round, up to and including the official submission deadline.
€25per round
After the submission deadline for the first qualification round, the annual entry fee is no longer available. Photographers who have not purchased the annual entry option may participate by paying €25 for each qualification round they wish to enter.
−50%on every entry fee
IAAP members receive a 50% discount on all entry fees for the 2027 season.
Please note: payment of an entry fee does not guarantee awards, points, or qualification for the Semifinal.
Four steps from registration to confirmation. Nothing is lost if you upload first and pay later — as long as the first round deadline is respected.
Register on the website
Create your account on theiaap.com and confirm your email address.
Upload your photographs
Submit your work to the four competition sections, following the technical requirements for each file.
Pay the applicable entry fee
Annual entry, individual round or free entry in the first round — free entries require no payment.
Receive confirmation
After completing your registration and any required payment, you will receive a confirmation email.
Image editing is permitted in accordance with the rules of the relevant competition category. Adjustments such as brightness, contrast, cropping, and color correction are allowed where permitted by the category rules.
Permitted
Not allowed
Verification: the organizer reserves the right to request original RAW files or unedited JPG files to verify the authenticity of submitted photographs.
Each qualification round is an independent competition for awards and points. Results from different rounds are not combined — places are allocated round by round.
96 photographers qualify for the Semifinal — 10 from each of the first two rounds and the remaining 76 places from the third round rankings.
The 10 highest-ranked photographers from the first qualification round and the 10 highest-ranked photographers from the second qualification round secure their places in the Semifinal. If a photographer ranks among the top 10 in both rounds, their place in the second round is awarded to the next highest-ranked photographer who has not yet qualified.
The remaining 76 places are allocated based on the rankings of the third qualification round. Photographers who have already qualified through the first or second round cannot occupy an additional place. Instead, the invitation is extended to the next highest-ranked eligible photographer from the third-round rankings.
A total of 96 photographers qualify for the Semifinal.
If an invited photographer is unable to participate, the invitation is extended to the next highest-ranked eligible photographer from the corresponding qualification round.
Awards and electronic certificates are presented in each qualification round in accordance with the published awards program and applicable patronage regulations.
Physical medals are not included in the standard entry fee. Award winners may separately order and pay for the production and delivery of their physical medals.
The structure of the season is fixed; the dates are not yet published. Every confirmed date will appear here and be sent by email to all registered photographers.
Qualification round 1
Four themes, up to five photographs each. Free participation is possible in this round only.
Dates to be announcedQualification round 2
New themes, up to 20 photographs. The 10 highest-ranked photographers qualify for the Semifinal.
Dates to be announcedQualification round 3
Final qualification round. The remaining 76 Semifinal places are allocated from its rankings.
Dates to be announcedSemifinal
Live event with 96 qualified photographers. Invitations are sent to the highest-ranked eligible entries.
Dates to be announcedGrand Final
The season concludes with the final live stage and the announcement of the winners.
Dates to be announcedNote: submission deadlines and the last date for paying the annual entry fee are published together with the round dates. Keep the PDF version of the rules at hand — every update is issued in writing.
Most missing confirmations end up in a filtered folder. Try these three steps before writing to the organizer.
Check your Spam or Junk folder — automated confirmations are often filtered there.
Add photolympic@gmail.com to your contact list or approved senders.
If you still have not received your confirmation, contact the organizer at the address below.
Three international qualification rounds, a live Semifinal and a Grand Final for photographers of every level.