The UK’s biggest housebuilding awards, the WhatHouse? Awards, are back for 2026 with event organiser, Globespan Media, confirming entries are open, including refreshed categories for the much-loved ceremony.
Housebuilders, developers, housing associations and the industry’s supply chain are encouraged to make online nominations across the 21 categories, which include three new additions as well as a restructure to better reflect how the industry operates.
The three new categories for 2026 are:
- Best Marketing Campaign
- Best Use of Technology & Innovation
- Best Customer Experience
Rupert Bates, editorial director of Globespan Media, explains: “In response to valuable feedback, we have introduced three brand-new categories this year to highlight the industry’s leaders in marketing, customer care and technology. We have also combined the categories of Partnership and Mixed-Use to create Best Integrated Scheme, in recognition of the housebuilders demonstrating exceptional collaboration and the best of both.”
“Finally, we have listened to industry requests to make the Best Housebuilder categories less wide-ranging in number of homes built each year, so there are now four categories from those building less than 50 units a year, through to the volume developers delivering over 1,000 new homes annually.”
The WhatHouse? Awards will take place on Friday 20 November at the Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London. The full list of categories can be found online and entries are open until 17 July.
Rupert continues: “We’re really excited about this evolution for the 46th WhatHouse? Awards, which has been spearheaded by our dedicated new event team. Alongside the category refresh, we’re also exploring further changes to bring a fresh energy to this legendary luncheon and respond to the industry’s expectations and evolving profile. Yet to be announced, these will ensure the WhatHouse? Awards remain the premier event for networking, recognition and celebration.”
Annually attracting over 1,200 senior leaders and professionals, momentum is already building for the ‘Oscars’ of the housebuilding industry, with 16 sponsors reconfirming their support.
“It’s fantastic to have renewed partnerships with leading brands, who recognise the importance of visibility and presence at the awards,” says Rupert.
“Celebrating the very best of British talent, we are confident the WhatHouse? Awards will continue to be the best-attended and most inclusive event for new homes, with winners representing every corner of the UK. It is undoubtedly a date in the calendar the housebuilding industry shouldn’t miss.”
To book a table, or find out more about sponsoring the 2026 WhatHouse? Awards, visit the website.
