Never Settle Awards 2026 - Back Again, One Big Change
For those of you that have been following the Never Settle Awards for years, it should come as no surprise that nominations will be opening soon. How soon? July 12, 2026!
We'll be opening all of the award nominations at once, just like we used to do. You'll be able to nominate martial artists and schools without needing to wait based on the award like we asked you to do last year.
Do you know a martial artist that has made a lasting impact on a lot of other martial artists? Enduring Footprint sounds like a match.
Do you want to recognize and thank that person that works behind the scenes to make everything possible? Flashlight Award is the way to go.
Is there someone that shares the true ideals of martial arts out in the community with anyone and everyone? They sound like an Emissary of the Arts to me.
Did a martial artist you know and respect pass away since July 2025? Ripples on Our Pond will help to recognize them. And yes, Chuck Norris is already on the list.
But none of that is a big change.
THE BIG CHANGE
The Never Settle Awards team has decided that, beginning with the 2026 Never Settle Awards, the Open Door awards will ONLY be accepting nominations for SCHOOLS and will not be accepting nominations for individuals. From the start, Open Door was the only award that was open to both individuals and schools. As the Never Settle Awards have grown, this has caused some confusion during both nominations and voting. In an effort to reduce the confusion, the Open Door award will be a school focused award only.
If you have an individual that you feel is deserving of individual recognition, check out the other awards listed above and see which is the best match for your martial artist.