Manifest Play is a half-day summit scheduled for the first half of April 2026.

Best Promo

1) Cricket

This category will recognise the best promo for a cricket tournament/match on air across TV/OTT/Radio/Print.

2) Football

This category will recognise the best promo for a football tournament/match on air across TV/OTT/Radio/Print.

3) Other sports

This category will recognise the best promo for a sports tournament/match on air across TV/OTT/Radio/Print.

Best brand integration

1) Broadcast

This category recognises and rewards the best brand integrations within broadcasts on sports tournaments on TV/OTT/Radio.

2) On-Ground

This category recognises and rewards brand integrations between brands and sporting events on-ground.

3) Team sponsorship

This category recognises and rewards effective integration between brands and teams and how the team sponsorship has been leveraged.

4) Ambush

This category recognises and rewards the best ambush/unofficial marketing during a sports event.

Best marketing for a sports IP

Awards in this category will be based on the best marketing of a sports IP. Please note that this will be based on the budget the IP has to spend, and not just on the scale of the event.

Best new sports IP of the year

This is to reward and recognise the best new sports property of the year. Jurors will be judging this category based on the popularity and buzz the tournament gauged in its inaugural edition.

Best IP of the year

This is to reward and recognise the best sporting property of the year. Jurors will be judging this category based on the popularity of the IP and how it grew in the eligible period versus the year before.

Best sponsorship of a tournament

This analyses the best sporting sponsorship of a tournament. This could be a lead sponsor or any other partner tag. It's about how the brand leveraged the association with the tournament.

Best sponsorship of a team

This analyses the best sporting sponsorship of a team/franchise. This could be a lead sponsor or any other partner tag. It's about how the brand leveraged the association with the team.

Best Commentator - English

This is awarded to the most impactful English-speaking commentator across sports in India. This is open to OTT/TV/Radio commentators.

Best Commentator- Hindi

This is awarded to the most impactful Hindi-speaking commentator across sports in India. This is open to OTT/TV/Radio commentators.

Best Commentator – other language

This is awarded to the most impactful non-English and Hindi commentator across sports in India. This is open to OTT/TV/Radio commentators.

Best Sports Editor

This is awarded to the best sports editor across languages. The jury will be looking to reward the editor with the best viewpoints as well as accurate reportage.

Best TV broadcast channel

This is awarded to a channel with the best portfolio of content across sports with proof of coverage of how each was covered. This includes new deals secured as well as old deals extended, best packaging of sports on TV.

Best OTT Platform

This is awarded to an OTT platform with the best portfolio of content across sports with proof of coverage of how each was covered. This includes new deals secured as well as old deals extended, best packaging of sports on the medium.

Best brand ambassador for a sporting event

This is for sporting leagues/tournaments hiring brand ambassadors and how he/she was leveraged to garner interest around the sport.

Best influencer partnership with a sporting event

This is to recognise and reward an influencer who has partnered with a sporting event to promote it. Jurors will be looking for fan engagement with the influencers' posts.

Best eSports IP

This will recognise the best eSports property created with a focus on participation and brand interest garnered.

Best eSports brand integration

This will reward the agency/brand that has most effectively leveraged eSports to reach out to its audience.

Best sports podcast

This category looks into the best podcasts/online chat shows in the sports space.

Sports PR campaign of the year

This will award and recognise the best PR campaign for a sporting event/initiative.

Sports PR person of the year

This award will recognise the best PR person related to a sporting activity during the eligibility period.

Best talent partnership

This is to be entered by talent management companies. In this category a talent management firm can list a partnership it facilitated with an athlete and a brand. Winners will be basis how the sporting talent echoes the brand message. A talent management company can list multiple partnerships as separate entries.

Best use of an athlete(s) in a promo

This category is open for agencies to enter and rewards the best use of an athlete in a commercial.