The open-access, global competition has once again inspired artists from across Australia and around the world to create bold, imaginative designs that capture the spirit of the biggest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

Since its inception, the Adelaide Fringe Poster Competition has become a career-defining opportunity for emerging and established artists alike. Previous winners have gone on to acclaimed careers in design, illustration and visual arts, with their winning works becoming iconic symbols of Adelaide Fringe seasons.

The theme for the 2026 Poster Competition sponsored by Lumo Energy is ‘The Simple Pleasures’, and this year’s winner will take home $10,000 prize money thanks to Lumo Energy, free registration to exhibit at Adelaide Fringe 2026, and the unforgettable experience of seeing their art everywhere,  from posters, buses and merchandise to city streets and of course the infamous Adelaide Fringe Guide distributed across South Australia, Sydney and Melbourne. 

Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO, Heather Croall  said “The Poster Competition is one of the most exciting parts of building anticipation for the festival each year. There’s such a buzz around this stage of the competition when we reveal the Top 50.  So many past winners have gone on to fantastic opportunities, and their work remains woven into the visual history of Adelaide Fringe.”

The judging panel for 2026 brings together a dynamic mix of visual artists, designers, cultural leaders and festival stakeholders who now face the challenge of selecting a single winner who will join an alumni of impressive artists including Pro Hart, Dave Court, Mali Isobel and Dj Driller Jet Armstrong. 

The winner of the 2026 Adelaide Fringe Poster Competition will be announced on 27 October 2025, ahead of the full program reveal for the festival on 5 December.