Cannes Lions entries rise 'reflecting strong global participation'

Cannes Lions has received a total of 26,900 entries for 2025, up slightly on 2024.

Entries rose by 0.5% compared to last year, when 26,753 submissions were received, and were broadly similar to 2023’s tally of 26,992.

Glass: The Lion for Change saw a 53% increase in submissions while the Strategy Track, encompassing Creative Strategy and Creative Effectiveness Lions, grew by 10%. 

The Design Lions, which have been updated to reflect the strategic and behavioural impact of design, rose by 17%.

The number of entries from indie agencies rose by 18%, and those from Latin America were up by 16%.

The annual festival of creativity, which runs from 16 to 20 June, is the biggest annual gathering in global advertising and is seen as a barometer of the ad industry.

Simon Cook, chief executive of Lions, said: “We know that world-class creativity can come from anywhere. For business leaders seeking growth opportunities, the global benchmark provides a unique insight into creativity’s power as a catalyst for meaningful transformation and growth. With submissions from across 96 markets – and significant regional growth from Latin Ameria – we look forward to seeing the breadth of groundbreaking ideas from across the world.

"We’re excited to see the winning body of work that emerges over the next week as our Juries set the benchmark that will define the future direction for our industry.”

Social & Creator Lions have been updated to “better reflect the growing influence of creators in today’s landscape”, and 18% of all entries in this area were submitted in newly introduced sub-categories that focus specifically on creator-led content.

Entries to Creative B2B were up 13%, while the Entertainment Lions for Sport rose by 15%, “reflecting an increasing emphasis on creativity within performance-driven and fan-led sectors”.

Marian Brannelly, global director of awards at Lions, said: “The submissions this year reveal a shift in how creativity is being harnessed for meaningful change for both business and society. We’re seeing record growth in categories that demand measurable impact, whether that’s through design thinking that transforms user experiences or strategic approaches that deliver tangible business outcomes. 

"Overall, the data shows an industry that continues to evolve and embrace new opportunities to drive impact, with strong engagement with creator-focused submissions and the growth of independent agency participation, representing an industry embracing new models of impact, innovation and transformation."