Outdoor Lions

The Outdoor Lions celebrate creativity experienced out of home.

Introduction

The history of the Outdoor Lions

First introduced in 2006, the Outdoor Lions celebrate excellence in outdoor advertising, recognising creative work that engages audiences through billboards, posters, transit ads, and other forms of out-of-home media.

Over the years, as the media landscape evolved, so too did the Outdoor Lions, embracing not only traditional static formats but also digital, interactive, and experiential outdoor advertising. It has consistently highlighted the importance of creativity and craftsmanship in capturing attention in public spaces, where advertising must compete for visibility and impact.

Today, the Outdoor Lions continue to reward groundbreaking ideas that push the boundaries of outdoor advertising, whether through the use of new technologies, integrated campaigns or clever, disruptive messaging that resonates with audiences in meaningful ways.

Guidelines to Entering

What kind of work can be entered?

A wide range of outdoor advertising formats that engage audiences in innovative and impactful ways.

These may include but are not limited to static and digital billboards, print posters, and interactive screens that capture attention with visually striking designs and dynamic content. Animated screens and dynamic displays that offer the opportunity for more fluid, real-time messaging, pop-up shops and adaptations of outdoor spaces which transform physical environments into branded experiences.

Street furniture and large-scale signage, such as banners and murals, integrate seamlessly into the urban landscape, turning everyday structures into powerful advertising touchpoints. Live

What are the judging criteria?

The main criteria considered during judging will be the idea, the execution and the impact.

Eligibility

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

Grand Prix in Outdoor Lions

The Outdoor Jury can award two Grands Prix. One Grand Prix from Section A: Billboards or B: Posters and One Grand Prix from the remaining sections.

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 Outdoor as long as the categories chosen are relevant.

Exceptions:

  • The same piece of work may only be entered once in ‘A. Billboards: Sectors’ and/or ‘B. Posters: Sectors’.
  • In sections A and B, each execution constitutes one entry and all executions must have run within the eligibility period.
  • In Sections C, D and E, multiple executions may be entered as one entry. However, all Outdoor executions must have run within the eligibility period.

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 be required provide proof of impact, supported by verifiable evidence, this information will not be shared with the Jury, but will be used to verify claims made in your entry materials. You'll also be required to provide details of a senior executive from both the brand and the entrant company (CEO, CMO or equivalent) who can formally approve the submission.

Optional supporting materials to provide additional context with your entry can also be uploaded.

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

Detailed information outlining the entry process can be found on our 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?

Exceptional creativity, innovation, and effectiveness in engaging audiences through outdoor advertising. Work that stands out in crowded public spaces and uses the medium in unique and impactful ways. Jurors look for work that makes the most of the outdoor environment, transforming public spaces into memorable brand experiences.

  • A strong insight, impressive execution and real results that link back to the objective
  • Considered strategy, thoughtfully designed at every touchpoint

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: Outdoor Lions

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

The Categories

A. Billboards: Sectors

Classic two-dimensional sheet and static digital billboards made for standard billboard spaces. This may include, but is not limited to, roadsides, highways and transit sides.

CROWD | KITKAT | VML, PRAGUE | GRAND PRIX, OUTDOOR LIONS | 2025

B. Posters: Sectors

Classic sheet and static digital posters made for public spaces. e.g. supermarkets, shopping malls, airports.

BOAT | CORNETTO | LOLA MULLENLOWE, MADRID | SILVER LION, OUTDOOR LIONS | 2025

C. Ambient & Experiential

All standard, non-standard and free-format out-of-home work that leverages the use of public spaces, objects and environments. For static digital billboards/posters please enter A. Billboards: Sectors or B. Posters: Sectors.

OLYMPIC GAMES OPENING CEREMONY PARIS 2024 | PARIS 2024 | PANAME 24, PARIS | GRAND PRIX, OUTDOOR LIONS | 2025

D. Innovation in Outdoor

The creative and/or innovative use of an out-of-home medium to communicate the brand’s message.

SPEED COUPONS | MERCADO LIVRE | GUT, SAO PAULO | SILVER LION, OUTDOOR LIONS | 2025

E. Culture & Context

Work that is brought to life through cultural insights and regional context.

If you're submitting more than one execution please upload all executions in a single digital presentation image.

VI GUARDIAN BEADS | VI (VODAFONE IDEA) | OGILVY, MUMBAI | BRONZE LION, OUTDOOR LIONS | 2025

The Written Submission

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

To start your entry to the Outdoor Lions, 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 2026
  • 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