26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards: Eligibility Explained

26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards:
Eligibility Explained

As a fan-voted experience, every year we try as hard as possible to clarify who is/ isn’t eligible for the WhatsOnStage Awards. With thousands of eligible shows every year, it would be nigh-on impossible to provide a go-to list of all the productions you can choose from – and would no doubt cause some grumbles! With that in mind, please read our eligibility criteria before submitting your nominations.

Nominations will open on 6 November 2025 at 12pm, and close on 20 November 2025 at 12pm.

If you have any queries about eligibility, please email feedback@whatsonstage.com. As an organisation, we always work to liaise directly with producers and venues about which shows are/are not eligible.

Once you’ve read the criteria, you can nominate here.

Want to campaign for your favourites? There’s an asset pack.

Eligibility

1. All live, original UK professional productions – and performers within these productions – must fulfil two criteria to be eligible:

Performances containing a national press night must have begun performances (including previews) after 7 November 2024.
Runs containing a national press night must have started performances (including previews) before 6 November 2025.

There are three exceptions (see point 5).

2. Productions that have been eligible in previous years are not eligible in almost all categories. There are three exceptions (see point 5).

3. Productions that have been eligible in previous years, and have subsequently transferred or embarked on a tour, are not eligible in almost all categories. For example, shows such as Giant, Kenrex or Punch, which were eligible for their original runs, are not eligible for the 26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards. Any decisions made by WhatsOnStage are final. There are three exceptions (see point 5).

4. A “production” is defined as a specific version of a new or existing musical or play, even if it has performed in multiple venues.

4.1 Adaptations or alterations to productions
Shows that have been significantly adapted, rewritten, rechoreographed or redeveloped with the introduction of new creative team members or producers (for example Hadestown, Mary Poppins, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) or Operation Mincemeat in recent years) may be eligible if a satisfactory case is made to WhatsOnStage.

5. The exceptions are:
· Best West End Show (more details at 6.3)
· Best Takeover Performance (more details at 6.5)
· Best Professional Debut Performance (more details at 6.6)

6. There are further rules for six categories:
6.1 Best Studio Production
Any professional production running exclusively in an auditorium/auditoria under 300 seats whose preview performances began in a UK venue/s between 7 November 2024 and 6 November 2025 are eligible.

6.2 Best Regional Production
Any professional production (touring or otherwise) whose preview performances began in a venue outside of Greater London between 7 November 2024 and 6 November 2025 is eligible.

6.3 Best West End Show
The award recognises the most popular shows currently running in a West End theatre that, by 10 January 2025, will have played for at least 12 months. This includes shows that began performances before 7 November 2024.

6.4 Best Concert Event
The award recognises shows that are self-styled as concert productions. They must have played for a maximum of three performances, irrespective of venue(s), between 7 November 2024 and 6 November 2025. Examples can include musicals that were produced semi-staged or in concert, or solo performers presenting live events.

6.5 Best Takeover Performance
This award recognises performers who have taken over existing named roles in shows between the dates of 7 November 2024 and 6 November 2025. Performers in any production, even productions that did not open between 7 November 2024 and 6 November 2025, are eligible. Performers must have never previously played the same role in a UK production to be eligible.

6.6 Best Professional Debut Performance
This award recognises performers who have made their global professional stage debut in a named role on a UK stage between the dates of 7 November 2024 and 6 November 2025. Performers in any production, even those that did not open between 7 November 2024 and 6 November 2025, are eligible.

7. Productions that conduct try-out runs that have no intention of inviting national critics or awards adjudicators for creative categories are not eligible, and may be eligible in subsequent years.

Categories

Eligibility