TikTok Names 79 Nominees for UK Awards, Adds Shop Founder Prize

TikTok has shortlisted 79 creators across 13 categories for its TikTok Awards UK 2026, adding a new "TikTok Shop Creator of the Year" prize for founders who built businesses on TikTok Shop. The in-app voting hub opened November 5 and closes Wednesday, November 18. Users can vote only inside the TikTok app by searching "TikTok Awards."

The ceremony takes place December 1 at a central London location, with a live performance from rapper Tinie Tempah. TikTok will stream behind-the-scenes content, red carpet interviews and the ceremony itself on TikTok LIVE via @TikTok_UK, starting at 5:30 p.m. Sky returns as headline partner, joined by e.l.f. Cosmetics, Pepsi and Volkswagen in interactive moments during the evening.

Who made the shortlist?

Sky presents the three marquee categories: "Creator of the Year," "Sport Creator of the Year" and "Entertainment Creator of the Year." The "Creator of the Year" shortlist includes @ash_holme and @jackremmington (jointly), @kylethomas, @munyachawawa, @meganhbolton, @eatingwithtod and @fredasquith. Last year's winner was Max Klymenko (@maxklymenko).

e.l.f. Cosmetics presents "Rising Star Creator of the Year" and "Fashion & Beauty Creator of the Year." Volkswagen backs "Auto Creator of the Year," and National Year of Reading presents "BookTok Creator of the Year." The remaining categories cover "Voice of Change," "Food," "Learning," "Travel" and "Lifestyle."

The new Shop category nominates six founders: @bssetofficial, @griphair, @soulanalyse, @lopwert, @malikbutchers and @looseinachazzashop. In short, TikTok is now formally awarding commerce-native creators alongside entertainers.

What did TikTok and Sky say?

Kinda Ibrahim, Head of Content Operations at TikTok EMEA, said the awards "spotlight the ones that spark it," honoring creators "who entertain, educate, and inspire millions every single day."

Katie Nelson, Head of Brand Engagement and Influencer at Sky, said: "Supporting the next generation of talent has always been central to Sky's role in the UK." Her presence on the release signals how firmly mainstream brands keep buying into creator-award inventory.

How does this year compare?

The 2026 shortlist is bigger than last year's on every axis. The October 2025 edition named 72 creators across 12 categories, held its London ceremony on November 13 and closed voting October 29. This year the field grows to 79 nominees and 13 categories, and the event shifts later, to December 1, with voting running through November 18.

Sky held the headline partner slot last year too, with sponsors including Pepsi MAX, BYD and e.l.f. Cosmetics. That edition featured an e.l.f. interactive booth and a TikTok Shop LIVE session.

The Shop category also tracks a broader pattern. At TikTok's first U.S. awards ceremony, held December 18, 2025, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, the platform ran an "Immediately Added to Cart Award for TikTok Shop," presented by Patrick Starrr. Keith Lee won "Creator of the Year" that night.

For UK practitioners, the takeaway is simple: TikTok keeps scaling its awards as a commerce showcase, and brands now treat the December 1 event as a live reach opportunity across the app's biggest creator audiences.