PRS For Music confirmed as title sponsor for Ivors Composer Awards

The Ivors Academy has solidified its partnership with PRS For Music through a new multi-year agreement that establishes PRS as the title sponsor of the Ivors Composer Awards. This collaboration underscores a mutual dedication to honouring contemporary composers and amplifying the significance of their craft across various music disciplines.

Set to take place at Grosvenor House, London, on November 17, 2026, the Ivors Composer Awards will spotlight nine distinct categories. These awards will recognize excellence in composition spanning live performances, commercial recordings, community involvement, and media such as film, television, and video games. Alongside these, five Gift Of The Academy Awards—including the prestigious Outstanding Contribution To Music Award—will continue to be presented with PRS's ongoing support.

This sponsorship marks a strategic advancement in celebrating the wide-ranging contributions of composers within the UK’s cultural landscape. Lord Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy, emphasized PRS For Music’s vital role in empowering composers at all career stages and in diverse compositional forms. The partnership aims to ensure that the nuances and achievements of modern composition receive the recognition they merit.

Daniel Lewis, PRS For Music’s relationship manager for Classical genres, highlighted how the Ivors Composer Awards offer a unique public platform to appreciate the creative ingenuity behind various musical forms. Whether through avant-garde classical pieces, immersive video game scores, or evocative film and television soundtracks, the awards aim to celebrate the full spectrum of compositional artistry.

In addition to the ceremony, the Ivors Composer Awards will be a central feature of The Ivors Composer Week, scheduled from November 16 to 20, 2026. This week-long event will include the inaugural Ivors Academy Composer Summit, to be held on November 18 at the Royal Institution in London. The summit is set to serve as a forum for dialogue, development, and networking among composers and industry stakeholders.

Financial accessibility for composers remains a priority under PRS's sponsorship. The partnership has facilitated a bursary scheme that waives administration fees for eligible Ivors Academy members facing economic challenges. This initiative proved impactful, with bursary-supported entries constituting 22% of submissions for the 2026 awards cycle.

By reinforcing the visibility and valuation of composers’ contributions, the alliance between PRS For Music and The Ivors Academy seeks to nurture a vibrant creative ecosystem. This move not only honors the heritage of British composition but also champions innovation across emerging and established musical genres.

While specifics about the event’s honorees or additional programming remain forthcoming, the expanded sponsorship signals a robust commitment from PRS For Music to the long-term celebration and support of composers. The Ivors Composer Awards and related events promise to be pivotal occasions within the UK’s musical calendar, reflecting evolving trends and the dynamic role of composition in contemporary culture.

As these developments unfold, the music community anticipates further details about how the awards and Composer Week will continue to elevate composer recognition and foster industry growth. The collaboration between these two leading organisations exemplifies a shared vision for sustaining the creative foundations of music composition in the UK.