Entertainment Lions for Gaming

The Entertainment Lions for Gaming celebrate creative work that connects people to brands through gameplay.

Introduction

The history of the Entertainment Lions for Gaming

Between 2018 and 2023, Lion-winning entries involving gaming increased by an impressive 74%, reflecting the growing significance of the gaming industry in the marketing and entertainment sectors. This surge in interest and creativity within gaming led to the introduction of the Entertainment Lions for Gaming in 2023. This Award was specifically created to acknowledge and celebrate the evolving relationship between brands and gaming communities, recognising campaigns that not only engage these communities in meaningful ways, but also enhance the overall gaming experience.

The Entertainment Lions for Gaming recognise the dual goal of gaming work: to engage and add value to gaming communities while achieving tangible commercial success for the brands involved. By combining creative excellence with strategic thinking, these campaigns demonstrate how brands can effectively tap into the gaming world, driving both cultural relevance and business results. As gaming continues to rise as a dominant force in culture and entertainment, the Entertainment Lions for Gaming reflect its growing importance in branded communications.

Guidelines to Entering

What kind of work can be entered?

The Entertainment Lions for Gaming celebrate work that creatively engages gaming communities and integrates brands into the gaming world in ways that enhance the player experience. This may include but is not limited to branded in-game content, such as skins, items, or environments that contribute to the narrative or gameplay, as well as interactive campaigns that tap into the gaming culture. The work may also include sponsorships or partnerships with esports events, influencers, or streaming platforms, or even campaigns that build immersive experiences within virtual worlds or games. The key focus is on adding real value to the gaming community, whether through entertainment, innovation, or community-building, while also driving commercial success for the brand.

What are the judging criteria?

A number of criteria will be considered during judging, weighted as follows: 30% creative idea; 20% strategy & insight; 30% craft & execution; 20% results.

Eligibility

Work will need to have been executed during the eligibility period of 06 February 2025 - 09 April 2026.

Is there a limit to how many times I can enter?

There is no overall limit to how many times the same piece of work can be entered into Entertainment Lions for Gaming as long as the categories chosen are relevant.

Esports may be entered across all categories within Entertainment Lions for Gaming.

What do I need to provide with my entry?

To enter, you’ll need to complete an online entry form, which can be found on the Cannes Lions entry site. In the ‘Written Explanation’ section, you’ll be asked to provide the Jury with everything they need to know about your work.

You’ll also be able to submit optional supporting materials to provide additional context with your entry.

Subtitles are highly recommended on all case films, films, demo films and original content.

Detailed information outlining the entry process can be found on A Guide to the Cannes Lions Awards.

More information on the rules for entry can be found on the Summary of Key Rules for Entering and the handbook for our new Integrity Standards can be found on the Integrity Standards.

What if I don’t have all the details right away?

Don’t worry – you can fill in the form in any order and save your progress at any time while it’s still in the pending stage. However, please only check out when your entry is 100% complete as no changes can be made to your entry once you’ve clicked “Submit” and “Checkout”.

Entry Tips

What’s the Jury looking for?

Work that creatively and authentically engages gaming communities, seamlessly integrating the brand into the gaming experience. Work that demonstrates innovation in how brands interact with players while adding value to the player experience.

  • A strong insight, impressive execution and real results that link back to the objective
  • Considered craft (new realities, co-creation, audio-visual, etc.)

Tips from the Jury

  • Determine the most impressive part of your campaign and find a category that showcases it
  • Provide tangible results that demonstrate impact
  • Remember the Jury are from all over the world, so provide context throughout your entry to ensure they understand the significance of your results and the relevance of your insight
  • The Jury look at hundreds of pieces of work, use storytelling in the written submission and case film to help your work stand out

Inside the Jury Room: Entertainment Lions for Gaming

To hear more from the Jury and how they decided on the winning work, check out the video below.

The Categories

A. Branded Content for Gaming

Creative content crafted to build awareness for a brand by associating it with culture and values through the use of gaming and storytelling.

B. Gaming-Led Brand Experience

Meaningful, engaging experiences and activations created to attract or maintain an audience.

C. Community

Work that focuses on the development, maintenance and nurturing of a community or fanbase.

D. Partnerships

Exceptional strategic partnerships between brands and gaming-related entities.

E. Challenges & Breakthroughs

Creative and innovative work that is brought to life through deep cultural insight, regional context and progressive thinking.

The Written Submission

Here’s the questions you’ll be asked regarding your work.

To start your entry to the Entertainment Lions for Gaming, go to our Awards page.

The Jury will refer to the written explanation you provide throughout the judging process. Our advice is to provide as much relevant detail as possible.

When answering the following questions keep the main element you’re trying to celebrate in mind (e.g. the storytelling, the strategy, the craft, the use of data).

The bullet points under each question are prompts designed to guide your thinking, based on the factors the jury will be considering when reviewing your work. You might not need to use them all, and that’s totally fine. They’re there to help you consider what’s most important in your work.

Questions

Category Specific Questions

Contact us

Everything you need to know to enter

For more detailed information on how to use the entry site, craft a compelling submission or submit your work we have a whole range of resources.

From Entry Guides that give you a step-by-step overview of the entire process to the Entry Kits that provide all the detailed rules and requirements for each and every category.

Information and advice on how to enter

We are here to help

As Awards Experts, we know the Lions inside out. We can help with:

  • Sharing the updates to the Awards for 2025
  • Offering best-practice advice on how to craft a compelling entry
  • Discussing your work and relevant categories
  • Scheduling regular catch-ups to answer any questions that arise throughout the entry process.

Whether you have a specific query or would like expert advice, get in touch today.

Email: awards@canneslions.com Helpline: +44 0 20 7046 1155