Instagram has named the judges for its 2026 Rings creator awards, with 25 winners due to be revealed on October 29. The panel includes A$AP Rocky, FINNEAS, Donatella Versace, Chloé Zhao, Mikaela Shiffrin and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri. Creators cannot enter themselves: Instagram’s teams identify candidates before the judges vote.
Who are the Instagram Rings 2026 judges?
Instagram’s official creator site lists a panel drawn from music, fashion, film, sport, food, art and publishing. The 2026 judges are:
- A$AP Rocky
- FINNEAS
- Donatella Versace
- Chloé Zhao
- Mikaela Shiffrin
- Vikas Khanna
- Emily Adams Bode Aujla
- OSGEMEOS
- Charm La’Donna
- Isamaya Ffrench
- Jack Edwards
- Will Welch
- Eva Chen
- Adam Mosseri
The mix matters because Rings is not divided into familiar categories such as comedy, beauty or sport. Instagram describes it as recognition for creative risk-taking and work that influences culture. A cross-disciplinary panel therefore has to compare very different kinds of creators rather than score one format against a fixed checklist.
When will the 2026 Rings winners be announced?
The 25 winners are scheduled to be announced on October 29, 2026, according to The Daily Front Row. That report also says recipients will receive a physical gold ring designed by Bode and special touches on their Instagram profiles.
The date is the clearest next milestone. Instagram has announced the jury, but it has not published the winner list yet. Any account claiming a complete 2026 list before the official reveal should therefore be treated cautiously.
Can creators apply for Instagram Rings?
No public application or nomination form has been announced. The reported process starts with Instagram’s internal creator teams reviewing accounts and narrowing the field. Judges then nominate and vote on the final honorees.
That makes Rings different from programs in which creators submit portfolios or campaign for votes. It also means there is no legitimate application fee, entry link or paid shortcut. Creators should be wary of messages that promise a nomination in exchange for money or login details.
What does Instagram say the award recognizes?
The stated theme is the courage to pursue an idea, manage the uncertainty of publishing it and make work that moves beyond simply participating in culture. The Hollywood Reporter, which first detailed the returning panel, describes the program as Instagram’s annual creator awards.
That language is intentionally broad. Instagram has not released a numerical scoring rubric, minimum follower count or engagement threshold. The evidence available so far supports saying that originality and cultural impact are central; it does not support promising that any particular posting tactic will lead to selection.
How the 2026 edition differs from the first Rings awards
Rings debuted in 2025 with a different group of judges and 25 recipients. The second edition keeps the small global winner group while refreshing the jury. That continuity suggests Instagram wants Rings to function as a recurring recognition program rather than a one-off campaign.
The award also sits alongside Instagram’s expanding efforts to connect creators with brands and platform products. For a separate practical look at commercial tools, see our guide to Instagram Live partnership ads.
What creators should watch next
The winner announcement on October 29 should answer the biggest remaining question: which forms of creative risk the 2026 panel chose to reward. It may also clarify how long the profile features remain active and whether every recipient receives the same benefits.
Until then, the confirmed facts are limited but useful: there will be 25 winners, the judges have been named, selection is internal rather than application-based, and the winners are due on October 29. Instagram has not disclosed a public entry route, follower minimum or detailed scoring formula.
Featured image: archival photograph of Instagram’s former headquarters at 200 Jefferson Drive, Menlo Park, September 4, 2022. Photo by Coolcaesar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized; no other changes. The image does not depict the 2026 Rings event.
