Scottish Podcast Awards: Entry is Now Free (Thanks to Spotify)
Spotify has just announced it's now an official partner of the Scottish Podcast Awards. And the headline benefit is simple: entry is now completely free. Now, here at the Podcast Studio Glasgow, we’re big believers that the awards are a fantastic opportunity for podcasters in Scotland, if not for the exposure, but for the sense of community.
This is significant news (read the news release here). The inaugural awards were already shaping up to be the biggest celebration of Scottish podcasting in years. Now that Spotify is backing the event and removing the entry barrier, it is genuinely open to every podcaster in Scotland.
What Changed
Entry to the Scottish Podcast Awards is now free for all creators. No gatekeeping. No cost barrier. Just creators submitting their work to be judged and potentially celebrated on a national stage.
Spotify is also the official voting platform for the Listener's Choice Award, making it easier for your audience to support you directly.
This matters because: You can now enter your podcast, get it in front of judges from across Scotland's media landscape, and potentially win recognition—without paying a submission fee. For podcasters bootstrapping their shows (most of you), that's the difference between entering and sitting it out.
Why Spotify Partnership Signals Growth
Spotify doesn't partner with regional awards for publicity. They partner when there's real creator volume and real listener engagement in that region.
Alastair Ferrans, Head of International Podcasts at Spotify, said:
"Every decision we make at Spotify is through the lens of adding value to creators. Supporting Scotland's creator community is a natural extension of that work."
Translation: Spotify sees Scotland's podcast scene as worth investing in. That's validation for what Glasgow and Edinburgh creators have been building.
Why You Should Enter
1. It's Free
No reason not to. Submit your podcast. Let judges evaluate it on merit. Zero financial risk.
2. It's National Visibility
The Scottish Podcast Awards aren't a niche thing. They're backed by Spotify and Go Radio (the media partner). Winning or placing in any category means your podcast gets mentioned across Scottish media. That's lead generation and audience growth in one.
3. It's the Only Scottish-Focused Podcast Awards
If you're podcasting in Scotland, this is the relevant awards ceremony. Not the bigger UK-wide ones. This one. The inaugural year is the best time to enter, as the competition is still growing and the judges are specifically looking for Scottish voices.
4. You're Competing Against Other Scottish Podcasters
Not against podcasters from London, Manchester, or wherever. You're competing in your market, against creators you might already know, with judges who understand the Scottish podcasting landscape.
Categories and Judging
There are multiple categories across different genres. Judges are being selected from the Scottish media, culture, and podcasting. This isn't vanity awards. It's legitimate recognition from people who actually understand podcasting.
And critically, the judges know what good podcast production looks like. If you're using professional equipment, publishing consistently, and delivering real value to listeners, you're already in the conversation.
If you’re thinking about entering, and you should, here’s our take on how to get your podcast ready for submission. (The Podcast Studio Glasgow has no affiliation or business relationship with the Scottish Podcast Awards or it’s panel of judges.)
The Timing
This is the inaugural year. First years matter. Winners and finalists get media attention because it's the first time the awards exist. If you won the Scottish Podcast Awards in year three, that's nice. If you won in year one, that's newsworthy. That's something to build into your brand. Officially, the closing date for entry is 9th March 2026. There’s no word yet whether the organisers will extend this, but we’ll let you know if they do.
The Bottom Line
Free entry. National visibility. Legitimate judges. Scottish focus. No reason to skip this.
If you're podcasting in Scotland, this is the awards you should be entering. Whether you're a solo creator, running a corporate podcast for a client, or building something in between, the Scottish Podcast Awards just became the relevant credential for your region.
