The most prestigious event in the underwater imaging world is back! The Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) competition has officially announced that its 2026 contest opens for entries on November 1, 2025.
This is the moment for divers and photographers to showcase the magic they've captured beneath the waves. But this year, there's a game-changing new addition.
We at DIVEVOLK are incredibly proud to sponsor the brand-new "Mobile Phone" category. The best part? To celebrate this new category, for it’s first year it is completely free to enter!
For too long, many believed high-end underwater photography was only for those with expensive, bulky camera rigs. We built DIVEVOLK to change that, empowering everyone with a smartphone to become an underwater creator. This new UPY category, backed by our sponsorship, is a massive step in that mission. It's your chance to prove that the powerful camera in your pocket, protected by a DIVEVOLK housing, can compete with the best.
Timeline(IMPORTANT!):
-
1 November 2025: Competition opens for entries
- 4 January 2026: Deadline for entries (midnight GMT)
- 6–8 January 2026: Judges meet in person
- 10 January 2026: (or before) RAW files requested from shortlisted photographers
- 17 January 2026: RAW file deadline
- 21 January 2026: (or before) Results sent to all entrants
- 19 February 2026: Private UPY Awards ceremony, London
- 20 February 2026: Public announcement of winners
Mobile Phone Category Prizes
This isn't just a token category. UPY and DIVEVOLK are putting up serious prizes for the best mobile shots:
- First Prize: £500 GBP
- Second Prize: £300 GBP
- Third Prize: £200 GBP
All other awarded photographers in the category will receive points and be included in the prize pool.
How to Enter UPY 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide
To celebrate the new, modern UPY 2026 website and platform, the organizers have created a simple guide to make registration and uploading easy. Here’s how you can submit your images.
Step 1: Register or Log In
First, you need an account. On November 1st, a button on the UPY homepage will take you to the registration page.
- New Users: Scroll down to "Register for UPY2026 here". You'll need to provide your name, email address, and country.
- Returning Users: Once you have registered, you can use your email and password at the top of the page to log in.
Step 2: Select Your Categories (Paid & Free)
Once logged in, you'll be on the Paypal page to select your entries. This is a crucial step.
To enter the FREE categories: If you *only* want to enter the free categories (which include 'Save Our Seas Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year', 'Mobile Phone', and 'British Waters Living Together'), simply click the "proceed to the upload page" link at the top. You do not need to pay.
To enter the PAID categories: If you want to enter any of the other main awards, you must select the number of images you wish to enter (e.g., 3, 10, or 20) and pay the fee via PayPal or credit card.
Step 3: Prepare Your Images
After proceeding, you'll land on your "My Account" page. Before you upload, make sure your images meet the competition's rules.
The most important rules are:
- File Type: JPG format, saved at best quality, with EXIF data included.
- Size: All images must be resized to 2000 pixels on the longest dimension at 300dpi.
- Colour Space: Adobe 1998 is ideal (but don’t worry if you don’t know what this means! We use software that will display your images exactly as you entered them).
- Filename: Use simple filenames under 100 characters with ONLY English characters (a-z and 0-9). For example: `image.jpg`.
Step 4: Select, Upload, and Enter
Entering your photos is a simple 3-part process:
- Select the category you wish to enter from the dropdown menu (e.g., "Mobile Phone").
- Select your image by clicking the "Browse" button to find the file on your device.
- Click "Enter Image" to upload your photo.
That's it! You'll see a green confirmation message and a thumbnail of your image will appear at the bottom of the page under "Your entries"[cite: 28, 29]. If you see your image there, it has been successfully entered. You can even delete and replace images any time before the deadline.
About DIVEVOLK, Category Sponsor
As an innovator in underwater photography equipment, DIVEVOLK is dedicated to providing photographers with high-performance, user-friendly waterproof solutions for mobile devices. Our sponsorship of the UPY 2026 Mobile Phone category reflects our shared vision with UPY: to promote the accessibility and development of underwater photography for everyone.
About The Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY)
The Underwater Photographer of the Year is one of the most influential international competitions in the field. It is dedicated to recognizing and showcasing the world's most outstanding underwater photography. From seasoned professionals to amateur hobbyists, UPY brings together all underwater visual explorers to celebrate the magic and beauty of the ocean.
For more details and to enter, visit the official UPY 2026 competition page: https://underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com/
