Celebrating the water drinks industry
Global Water Drinks Awards 2025
The Global Water Drinks Awards are dedicated to recognizing excellence, taste, and product innovation across the international water beverage industry.
Hosted by FoodBev Media, these prestigious awards offer a premier platform for brands, manufacturers, and startups to showcase their latest breakthroughs — from functional drinks and sustainable packaging solutions to standout marketing campaigns.
Entering the Global Water Drinks Awards places your brand on a global stage, offering unmatched visibility to industry leaders, retail buyers, and consumers alike.
The winners of the 2026 Global Water Drinks Awards will be officially announced during the 23rd Global Water Drinks Congress, taking place from 3 – 5 November 2026 in Barcelona. This landmark event brings together the water industry’s top decision-makers, innovators, and thought leaders for unparalleled networking and insight.
01
START
Complete the Enter Now form. Here you submit basic contact information. On completion, you will be forwared to the payment page and also receive a detailed email with links to come back to the following steps.
Eligibility
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All products entered must have been launched/created/rebranded within the last 14 months.
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Products that are not yet in the market can still be entered as long as they are in their prototype/packaging stage by the closing date of this scheme.
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The same products can be entered into multiple categories with an additional entry.
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Please read the category descriptions if you are unsure if your product fits into your chosen category.
02
PAYMENT
Once completed you will be redirected to our payment portal. If you are unable to pay via card, you can complete our 'Enter by invoice' form (please note this can take up to 1-2 days).
Each standard entry costs £250 (+VAT).
One entry is valid for one submission. One product can be entered into multiple categories.
1 entry = 1 submission
1 product submitted into 3 categories = 3 entries
3 products submitted into 1 category = 3 entries
2 products submitted into 2 categories = 4 entries
Offers
4 entries for the price of 3
40% discount for small businesses
Contact awards@foodbev.com for more details on how to activate these offers.
03
SUBMISSION
After payment, you will be redirected to our online entry submission form. At this step, you can select categories and submit your entries.
Entries are judged on the information you provide. Samples are only required for the Best Product categories.
To ensure consistency and validity we ask that all submissions provide:
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a 400-word maximum description of your product/entry
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a company logo
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maximum of 3 high-resolution images
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(Optional) Supporting Documents. This can be in the form of a video link or a link to studies and supporting documents, please provide links to documents in your 400-word description.
TIP Please communicate clearly how your product is innovative, introduces new concepts, offers added value, and has a market impact.04
PRODUCT DELIVERY
Samples are only required for the Best Product categories.
At least 2 samples of each individual entry/flavour/product are required to be delivered to each member of the international judging panel.
The responsibility to make sure the parcel is delivered successfully rests entirely with the entrant.
Samples must be delivered between:
September 21 and October 1 2026
Failure to successfully deliver in this time period will result in your entry reviewed only on the information provided and will not be tasted, which may result in a lower overall ranking.
05
RESULTS & Ceremony
After all entries have been submitted and delivered our judges will start submitting their results. Once completed we will announce a public shortlist before announcing the final results at the winners ceremony.
Awards ceremony - Hosted at the Global Water Drinks Congress 2026, Barcelona, November 3, 2026
During the winner's ceremony, we will announce the final placement of each entry for each category: Winner, Finalist, Commended
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As a winner...
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Winner’s category trophy
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Winner’s logo and media pack to assist in showcasing your win on your social media, website, email, packaging, and print materials.
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Photographed at the ceremony showcasing your win, and have images shared via our social media channels and website.
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Your success will also be promoted as a dedicated top story on refreshmentmag.com reaching 1000's of monthly visitors.
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Your winning entry published in our winner's article feature in Refreshment Magazine and our annual Winning Innovations publication distributed to readers globally.
Finalist or commended...
As a second-place finalist or third-place commended entry you receive the following:
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Your entry showcased in our winners's ceremony presentation, in front of industry-leading experts and influencers.
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Your success will also be promoted as a dedicated top story on refreshmentmag.com reaching 1000's of monthly visitors.
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Finalist/ commended logo and media pack to assist in showcasing your status on your social media, website, email, packaging, and print materials.
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An announcement of your business on social media to FoodBev’s 70,000+ followers.
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25
May
Entry Opens
Entries are open to all until the final deadline on September 20, 2026.
28
June
Early Bird Discount Deadline
Special early bird discount ends. Entry continues at the standard entry price beyond this date.
20
SEPTEMBER
Submissions Close
Last chance to enter submissions.
21
SEPTEMBER
Sample Delivery Opens
Only begin delivering products from this date.
11
October
Sample Delivery Ends
Samples received after this date will not be tasted.
TBD
October
Shortlist Published
The private judging starts. We estimate the shortlist will be published towards the end of October 2026.
03
november
Winners Ceremony
Entrants receive results and are posted publicly via our news channels. The in person winners' ceremony will be hosted at the Global Water Drinks Congress in Barcelona.
2026 Categories
Best Products
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Brand Extension
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Flavoured Water
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Functional Water
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Natural Sparkling Water
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Natural Still Water
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Premium Water
Best Innovations
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Technology Innovation
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New Water Concept
Best Design
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Carton Design
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Glass Design
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Metal Design
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PET Design
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Packaging/Label Design
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Sustainable Packing
Best Business
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CSR/Sustainability Initiative
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Marketing/Social Media Campaign
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New Brand
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2025 judges
Winning Innovations
FoodBev Events
Entry Open!
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Add as many entries as you wish, you can select your categories after payment.
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If you wish to use a discount or deal code, add this to the payment page.
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After purchase, you will receive an invoice email & redirected to enter your entry bio, images and logos (failure to provide these may lead to disqualification).
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Please reach out to us for any questions or concerns.
£250/per entry
The industry's only Global Water Drinks Awards celebrate excellence and innovation across every category of the packaged water drinks industry worldwide. Make sure to carefully read the important information below before entering. Entry closes on the 3rd October 2025 for 'Best Tasting' categories. 'Design' and 'Business' categories close 17 October 2025.
01
START
Complete the Enter Now form. Here you submit basic contact information. On completion, you will receive a detailed email with links to come back to the following steps.
Eligibility
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All products entered must have been launched/created/rebranded within the last 3 years.
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Products that are not yet in the market can still be entered as long as they are available for consumption by the end of the entry period.
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Flavoured or functional water - fruit juice content should not exceed 5% of the product content.
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Products can be entered into multiple categories.
02
PAYMENT
Once completed you will be redirected to our payment portal. If you are unable to pay via card, you can complete our 'Enter by invoice' form. (please note this can take up to 1-2 days).
Each standard entry costs £250 (+VAT). One entry is valid for one submission. One product can be entered into multiple categories.
1 product entered into 3 categories = 3 entries
3 products entered into 1 category = 3 entries
2 products entered into 2 categories = 4 entries
We offer special discounts and offers for multiple product entries as well as product flavours and editions, each charged as separate entries.
There is also a reduced rate of 40% (+VAT) for small businesses.
Please contact awards@foodbev.com for more information.
03
SUBMISSION
After payment, you will be redirected to our online entry submission form. Here you can select categories and upload materials. If you require to make changes please contact us.
Information on product sample delivery will be sent in September.
What you will require for submission:
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Invoice number - received after payment)
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Contact details - to receive updates, results, and media kits)
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Company details - name and logo
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Product details - your product details: Brand, product name, images, full ingredients including allergens, where your product is stocked, storage, max 400-word description to share online (this may be shortened for marketing purposes)
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Samples - physical samples are required for 'best tasting' categories, information on delivery information will be provided in September.
04
VOTING & RESULTS
After all entries have been submitted our judges will start submitting their results. Once completed we will announce a public shortlist before announcing the final results at the winner's ceremony.
Awards ceremony - 12 November 2025
During the winner's ceremony, we will announce the final placement of each entry for each category: Winner, Finalist, Commended
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The winners of the 2024 Global Water Drinks Awards were announced on 29 October at a gala industry dinner during the 21st Global Water Drinks Congress hosted by Zenith Global.
Celebrating excellence and innovation across all sectors of the global water drinks industry, the 2024 awards attracted over 120 entries across the 15 award categories. The 2025 award marks the first year the Global Water Drinks Awards will be organised by FoodBev Awards.
16
JUNE
Entry Opens
Entries are open to all until the final deadline on October 3rd 2025.
25
JULY
Early Bird Discount Deadline
Early bird discount ends. Entry continues at the standard entry price beyond this date.
20% off entry fee using code WATER2025 until JULY 25th.
03
october
'Best Tasting' Submissions Close
Last chance to enter submissions for the categories listed under 'Best Tasting', product samples are required to be sent for these categories.
17
october
All Submissions Close
Last chance to enter submissions for the 'Best Design' and 'Best Business' categories.
06-19
october
Product Sample Delivery
During the period product samples and judging will take place. A full list of delivery addresses will be shared early September.
28
october
Shortlist Announcement
Judging results are verified. We expect the shortlist to be announced the week of the 27th of October.
12
november
Winners Ceremony
Entrants receive results and are posted publicly.
Important Information
Global Water Drinks Congress 2026
Join us on 03 November 2026 for a special winners ceremony.
Designed for industry leaders, suppliers, customers and advisers, this 23rd annual Congress will provide a complete overview of the latest market trends, innovations and issues alongside networking opportunities with key industry figures. Insights will be shared by leading international and regional businesses on the latest market and strategic developments, as well as by innovators and entrepreneurs bringing new ideas and taking up new challenges.
