The official Cannes Lions 2026 fee schedule is category-specific, so an agency budget should model category mix rather than multiply one average number across every entry. Lower-priced Lions such as Audio and Radio, Design, Direct, Outdoor, Print and Publishing, Glass, Innovation, Industry Craft, and Sustainable Development Goals begin at EUR 690 before the first late-fee date. Many core categories including Brand Experience and Activation, Creative B2B, Creative Brand, Creative Data, Creative Strategy, Health and Wellness, Media, PR, and Social and Creator begin at EUR 865. Premium categories such as Entertainment, Film, and Film Craft begin at EUR 1,095, while Creative Effectiveness and Titanium sit substantially higher.
For a real agency slate, the risk is rarely one expensive entry. The risk is uncontrolled category multiplication. A strong campaign can legitimately fit three or four Lions, but every additional category needs its own category rationale, evidence mapping, and asset check. The fee table below is therefore best read as a planning model, not a replacement for the official entry portal.
A sensible Cannes budget process starts with a tiered shortlist. Tier 1 includes work that has both category fit and winner-level evidence. Tier 2 includes work that may become competitive if results improve before the deadline. Tier 3 stays parked until the team has budget headroom. This keeps early-deadline savings from encouraging weak submissions.