Bodyshop Magazine has confirmed that next year’s edition of its hugely popular Bodyshop Awards 2026 will return to The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham and will be moving one week earlier to Wednesday and Thursday, 14-15 October 2026.
The high-profile Bodyshop Awards programme – the oldest, most-coveted and only fully independent celebration of the best the crash repair industry has to offer – will again be held together with our all-important 30 Under 30 initiative and the daytime Bodyshop Expo.
Date set for Bodyshop Awards 2026
Bodyshop editor Simon Wait said: “It will be great to be heading back to the Midland and especially to The Belfry, which received a heap of positive feedback after our 2025 event there just six weeks ago.
“Planning for the crash repair industry’s favourite event is already well under way, and today (1 December) we’ve just announced that nominations for both our 30 Under 30 and the Bodyshop Awards 2026 are now open online,” he added.
The line-up of major Bodyshop Awards categories established in 1997 will continue next year with Technical Training Provider, Supplier Partner, Small, Medium, Large and Group Bodyshop, plus the return of Vehicle Manufacturer Programme and Work Provider.
Three new Awards categories
There will also be three completely new categories reflecting the technological advances in the sector. These are ADAS Services Provider of the Year, which is open to diagnostics and calibration companies, Bodyshop Software which is open to bodyshop management systems and estimating software providers, and Apprentice VDA of the Year.
The Technician and Apprentice categories for skilled MET, panel and paint technicians, and VDAs, will be assessed using a series of online exams, interviews and practical testing at the Thatcham Research Automotive Academy next June.
Click these links to start the free and easy-to-use nomination proves, and make sure you get 14-15 October blocked off in your diaries.
Join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #30under30 #BodyshopAwards2026 #BodyshopMag
