The Card & Payments Awards remains the longest-standing and leading networking event of the year for the UK and Irish card and payments industry. With over 1100 guests attending on the night, from over 300 different companies, and with a compelling list of blue-chip sponsors. Michael Harty started the event 20 years ago.

The Card & Payments Awards has been instrumental in recognising excellence and innovation across the industry from a diverse range of corporations for the past two decades. Each year many eligible organisations compete for one of the prestigious awards which are judged by an independent panel of industry experts. The Awards concludes with its infamous Industry Achievement Award each year. 

The Card & Payments Awards are open across the different categories to credit, debit, prepaid and charge card issuers, co-brands, merchant acquirers, payment processors, retailers and other payments companies worldwide who are offering programmes or initiatives within the UK and Irish market. There are a range of categories covering key disciplines and offering organisations the opportunity to showcase all of their achievements. 

Entries open in June and close in October each year.

The Awards will be taking place on Thursday 5th February 2026 at the famous JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, London.