International Architecture & Design Awards (IADA) 2027
Stadiums, sports centres, pools and wellness buildings shape how communities play, train and recover. The International Architecture & Design Awards (IADA) recognise sports, recreation and wellness architecture in a dedicated nomination, evaluated by an independent international jury. This page covers that nomination and related ones, how projects are judged, the IADA 2027 fees and deadlines and recent winners. For every other building type, see our general IADA architecture category page.
Why enter the sports and recreation buildings category of IADA?
Sports and recreation buildings are judged every day by the people who use them, but their architectural quality rarely receives independent recognition. An award gives the design team documented, third-party recognition that can be cited in competitions, tenders and communication with clients and operators.
Each IADA winner receives a published winner page with the project description, images, design team and credits. Certificates, winner logos and graphic materials are available in the participant account; a physical trophy can be ordered separately. IADA is organised by Architecture & Design Community (ADC) and has run since 2019; IADA 2027 lists 19 disciplines and 640 nominations in total.
Sports and recreation nominations at IADA 2027
The main nomination is Sports, Recreation & Wellness Facilities in the Architecture discipline. Interiors, landscapes, concepts and lighting for sport have their own nominations; each additional nomination is paid separately.
| Nomination | Discipline | Typical projects |
|---|---|---|
| Sports, Recreation & Wellness Facilities | Architecture | Stadiums, arenas, sports centres, pools, bathhouses and wellness buildings |
| Leisure, Wellness & Recreation Spaces | Interior | Leisure and recreation interiors |
| Spa, Fitness & Gym Interior Design | Interior | Spas, gyms and fitness studios |
| Playgrounds & Recreational Spaces | Landscape | Playgrounds, sports grounds and outdoor recreation |
| Play, Sports & Recreation | Conceptual | Unbuilt concepts for sport and play |
| Sports and Stadium Lighting | Lighting | Lighting for stadiums, courts and sports venues |
Compare all options on the IADA categories and nominations page. Parks and public spaces are covered on our IADA urban design and master planning category page.
Built projects and concepts
IADA accepts both completed projects and unbuilt concepts, and the project status is shown on each winner page. Recent winners include Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong by Populous, a completed Platinum winner, and Bisate Sanctuary in Rwanda by Black Sable Designs (Pty) Ltd, a Platinum winner in 2026. Students are judged by the same jury against the same criteria and receive a 50% discount on everything except trophies.
IADA 2027 fees and deadlines
The entry fee depends on the registration period. The fee for the first project includes one nomination; each additional nomination for the same project costs less.
| Registration period | Register by | First project | Each additional nomination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | 13 November 2026 | $140 | $90 |
| Advance | 18 December 2026 | $170 | $110 |
| Standard | 29 January 2027 | $200 | $130 |
| Extended | 5 February 2027 | $230 | $150 |
| Late | 9 April 2027 | $260 | $170 |
- Project submission deadline: 12 April 2027
- Winners announced: 14 May 2027
- Students: 50% discount on entry fees
Registration and project submission have separate deadlines. Full details are on the entry fees and deadlines pages.
How sports and recreation projects are judged
Each member of the jury evaluates every project in its nomination against three criteria:
- Innovation & Originality: the architectural idea behind the venue and the experience it creates.
- Design & Aesthetic Quality: form, structure, materials and the quality of spaces for athletes, visitors and staff.
- Functionality & Spatial Integration: flows, capacity, orientation and how the building works for sport, events and everyday use.
The jury scores each entry against these published criteria and the scores are averaged. The highest-ranked projects receive Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze awards, and Honourable Mentions may also be given. Meet the jury on the IADA jury page.
Recent IADA sports and recreation winners
Winners in the Sports, Recreation & Wellness Facilities nomination and its predecessor.
| Project | Studio | Country | Award | Nomination | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bisate Sanctuary | Black Sable Designs (Pty) Ltd | Rwanda | Platinum, IADA 2026 | Sports, Recreation & Wellness Facilities | Completed / Built |
| Kai Tak Sports Park | Populous | Hong Kong | Platinum, IADA 2025 | Sports, Recreation & Wellness Facilities | Completed |
| Mombo Sanctuary | Black Sable Designs (Pty) Ltd | Botswana | Gold, IADA 2026 | Sports, Recreation & Wellness Facilities | Completed / Built |
| University of Georgia Jack Turner Stadium | Goodwyn Mills Cawood | United States | Silver, IADA 2026 | Sports, Recreation & Wellness Facilities | Completed / Built |
| Bathhouse Williamsburg | COLBERG ARCHITECTURE | United States | Bronze, IADA 2026 | Sports, Recreation & Wellness Facilities | Completed / Built |
| HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir Clubhouse | Surbana Jurong | Singapore | Gold, IADA 2023 | Sports Recreation | Built |
Browse more projects in the IADA winners archive.
Preparing a strong sports architecture entry
- Explain the brief: the sports and activities, capacity and the community the building serves.
- Include plans and sections that show circulation for athletes, spectators and staff.
- Show the building in use as well as empty: people give scale to sports spaces.
- State the project status (built or concept) and credit the full team, including engineers.
Our guide How to enter IADA covers the materials you need and the order in which to prepare them.
How to enter IADA 2027 in four steps
- Create your participant account. Registration and submission are managed in your account.
- Register your project and pay the entry fee. Choose your sports or recreation nomination and any additional nominations.
- Prepare your presentation. Project description, images and drawings; our guide How to enter IADA explains what to prepare.
- Submit before 12 April 2027. Winners are announced on 14 May 2027.
IADA sports and recreation buildings category FAQ
Which nomination fits a stadium or sports centre?
Sports, Recreation & Wellness Facilities in the Architecture discipline. Spa, gym and fitness interiors can also be entered in Spa, Fitness & Gym Interior Design.
Can I enter a sports project that is not built yet?
Yes. IADA accepts concepts as well as built projects. Select Concept as the project status when you register, or use the Play, Sports & Recreation nomination in the Conceptual discipline.
How much does it cost to enter IADA 2027?
In the current Early Bird period, until 13 November 2026, the first project costs $140 and each additional nomination $90. Fees increase with each registration period (see the fee table). Students receive a 50% discount on everything except trophies.
Who judges the entries?
An independent international jury. Each member scores projects against three published criteria, and the scores are averaged. See the IADA jury.
Can I enter a project that has already been entered elsewhere?
Yes, as long as you hold the right to submit it. A project that did not win in another competition can be entered in IADA.
When are the IADA 2027 winners announced?
On 14 May 2027. The project submission deadline is 12 April 2027.
Ready to enter your sports project?
Early Bird registration for IADA 2027 is open until 13 November 2026: $140 for the first project. Register early: fees increase with each period.