For the African region, a 15% adjustment will be applied for all One Show 2026 entries received from South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco and Tunisia. The move comes in recognition of financial challenges faced by agencies and brands whose local currency has been devalued against the US dollar.
The One Show is the only major global advertising awards show to offer adjusted fees based on an entrant’s location and exchange rates. The adjustments are automatically applied during the checkout process.
‘Currency devaluation should not devalue a country’s creativity,’ said Suhana Gordhan, Founder and CCO of LoveSong in Cape Town, and a One Club International Board member. ‘By easing the cost burden on entries, The One Show demonstrates a truly progressive and inclusive value system, where the door is kept open for local work that deserves a global stage. In times like these, this is not only a generous thing, but the right thing to do.’
The One Show Currency Value Adjustment offer debuted in 2021, initially providing cost savings for entrants from 25 countries. Countries are evaluated annually using recent exchange-rate trends and economic indicators, and the list is updated.
‘We recognise agencies and brands in some regions are under financial pressures due to currency devaluation, and don’t want fees to be a barrier to the entry of great work,’ said Kevin Swanepoel, CEO, The One Club. ‘As a non-profit organisation whose mission is to support the creative community, we’re committed to levelling the global playing field and finding ways to help creatives get the recognition they deserve.’
Entries to the overall One Show 2026 can be submitted now, with fees increasing after each deadline period. Early entry deadline is December 12, 2025, with the regular deadline January 23, 2026. The extended deadline is February 6, 2026, and final deadline February 20, 2026.
Debuting this year within The One Show 2026 is The One Show Indies, dedicated to celebrating the work of independent agencies, design firms, production houses, and creators. The One Show Indies is open exclusively to agencies with truly independent ownership: a minimum 51% owned by founders or staff, and no more than four physical offices.
The One Show Indies was created to make the global spotlight of a prestigious One Show Pencil win even more accessible to a larger playing field of independent agencies, studios, freelancers, creators, and other creative companies.
Early judging starts in January 2026, and finalists will be announced in May 2026. Crystal, Gold, Silver and Bronze Pencil and Merit winners will be announced in May during Creative Week 2026 in New York.
Agencies, brands, production companies, and individuals responsible for winning work each year are highlighted in The One Show Creative Rankings, as well as The One Club’s Global Creative Rankings, which combines points won at The One Show, ADC Annual Awards, Type Directors Club TDC competition, Art Directors Club of Europe (ADCE) Awards, and ONE Asia Creative Awards. Winners are ranked globally, regionally, and by country.
For more information and to enter, click here.
THE ONE SHOW
https://oneshow.org
