Who has been nominated for the 2026 Webby Awards?

The 30th annual Webby Awards, celebrating the pinnacle of online content and creativity, have unveiled their nominees, with a diverse array of stars and viral sensations making the cut. Cardi B, Steph Curry, Dwayne Johnson, and Justin Bieber are among the household names recognised, alongside more unconventional entries such as a limited-edition soap made with Sydney Sweeney's bathwater.

The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences announced the nominees on Tuesday, following a rigorous selection process from over 13,000 entries submitted by creators in more than 70 countries. The awards span eight major categories, including games, podcasts, websites and mobile sites, video and film, apps and software, AI, and advertising, media and PR.

Among the more talked-about nominations are the social media teams behind political figures like New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Kendall Jenner’s tongue-in-cheek Fanatics Sportsbook ad, "Bet on Kendall," which playfully referenced her dating history with athletes, secured three nods. Jenner will compete directly with Sydney Sweeney in the best viral PR campaigns category, following Sweeney's unique collaboration with Dr. Squatch to offer bathwater-infused soap to fans.

Organisations with the highest number of nominations include Google with 46, PBS with 29, Apple and The Walt Disney Company each with 23, and NBCUniversal and Netflix both receiving 22.

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This year's nominations also highlight a trend for quirky, viral marketing stunts. Absolut’s Tabasco-flavoured vodka, Ricola’s limited-edition scarf infused with "signature Swiss alpine herbs," Panera Bread’s Croissant Clutch handbag, and Lidl’s Eau de Croissant fragrance all received recognition for their online impact. Language-learning app Duolingo garnered attention for its campaign featuring the faked death of its mascot owl, Duo, prompting Dua Lipa to quip on X, "Til’ death duo part." This campaign is up for best PR campaign and best use of earned media, while Lipa herself is nominated for Apple's chronicle of a day on her Radical Optimism tour.

The promotional efforts for the "Stranger Things" finale, including a mobile scavenger hunt where users tapped a 20-sided die to enter the Upside Down, earned three nominations. Similarly, a nominated campaign for Bad Bunny fans utilised Google Maps and Spotify to help them discover track titles from his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos. An eye-catching Los Angeles billboard featuring Steph Curry, which appeared to show him "shooting the moon," went viral and secured a nod, while NBA star LeBron James' Amazon commercial, depicting him considering post-basketball careers, was nominated for best collaboration.

In the music video category, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s "Luther" is nominated, competing against Sabrina Carpenter's "Tears," Rosalía's "Berghain," Little Simz's "Young," and Claude's "C’est La Vie." Lamar previously won this award last year for "Not Like Us."

Benedict Cumberbatch received two nominations for his dramatic readings of Amazon customer reviews in the "Five Star Theater" campaign. Blackpink’s Lisa is also recognised for leading a troupe of professional ballerinas and dancers in a NikeSKIMS ad that sparked numerous TikTok recreations, and global girl group Katseye earned a nod for their Gap "Better in Denim" commercial. Dwayne Johnson’s surprise visit to the Apalachee High School football team after a school shooting was nominated in the best long-form video category, and Lady Gaga’s Spotify Q&A about her album Mayhem is up for best events and livestream social campaign.

Food content creator Nick DiGiovanni secured two nominations for putting MrBeast through culinary boot camp – a post that amassed over 71 million views – and for cooking for animals, including a lion. MrBeast also received a nomination for his animated short series MrBeast Lab. The team behind a Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest, which attracted thousands including Chalamet himself, was recognised, and Chalamet’s Cash App ad, co-starring a giant tropical fruit, was nominated for branded entertainment short-form video and film. Justin Bieber’s live Twitch broadcast of his Coachella headlining set preparations was nominated for community engagement, while Sonic’s ad featuring Terry Crews teaching acting for athletes earned a nod for best long-form branded entertainment.

Podcast nominations include Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Next Question with Katie Couric, The Mel Robbins Podcast, Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky, and Baby, This is Keke Palmer for best feature host. Palmer’s podcast also features in the interview or talk show category for entertainment and culture, alongside Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim, All There Is with Anderson Cooper, Office Ladies, and Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. Sports podcasts nominated include Pablo Torre Finds Out, All the Smoke, New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce, Bussin’ With the Boys, and 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony.

Cardi B’s album rollout for Am I The Drama?, which included a stunt where she sold her album for $9.99 and incense on a Harlem street, received two nominations. Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s short film I Said I Love You First earned a nod, as did Gomez's Rare Beauty line. Science communicator Emily Calandrelli was nominated after her public dispute with the TSA over her breast pump and stored milk sparked the #HandsOffOurMilk movement. Former Saturday Night Live cast member Bowen Yang and actor Matt Rogers also received a nod for discussing the Olympics with Sesame Street characters for the NBC Olympics podcast Two Guys, Five Rings.

While the Academy selects the main winners, the Webby People’s Voice Award is determined by global fan votes, which remain open until 16 April. Winners will be announced on 21 April, with an awards ceremony hosted by Josh Johnson, a correspondent and writer for "The Daily Show," scheduled for 11 May in New York.