Confindustria Ceramica (the Italian Association of Ceramics) and the Italian Trade Agency have announced that the 2026 Ceramics of Italy International Tile Competition is officially open for entries. This year marks a significant milestone for the program: for the first time, two long-standing competitions – the North American Design Competition, which ran for over 30 years, and La Ceramica e il Progetto, which focused on the Italian market for 11 years – have joined forces to create a single, unified global platform recognizing the best projects featuring Italian ceramic and porcelain tile worldwide. Winners will receive cash prizes and a four-day, CEU-accredited trip to Bologna, Italyfor Cersaie 2026 from September 21 – 25.
Above photo credit: Tigertail by DI Group
The expanded competition invites architects and interior designers to submit projects that demonstrate an expansive use of Italian tile from Ceramics of Italy member brands. For kitchen and bath designers, this is a prime opportunity to showcase how Italian tile elevates the spaces where material selection matters most – from porcelain countertops, statement kitchen islands, and high-impact backsplash to elevated bathroom vanities, washbasins, and spa-like showers. Submissions are organized across four categories – Residential, Commercial, Design & New Applications, and Outdoor – and there is no fee to enter. Eligible projects may include new construction, renovations, or architectural restorations completed between January 2021 and March 2026, featuring ceramic or porcelain tile produced by Ceramics of Italy member brands.
Photo credit: Casa las Vistas by Taller KEN
The competition has long attracted some of the most celebrated names in architecture and design. Past honorees include firms such as Gensler, Rockwell Group, Snøhetta, Rottet Studio, and Perkins+Will, with winning projects spanning everything from luxury residential interiors to major commercial installations, institutions, and hospitality settings.
Photo credit: Living Lounge by Secter Architecture & Design
This year’s distinguished international jury will be chaired by Steve Clem, Principal at Atlanta-based TVS, and includes Alfonso Femia, Founder and President of Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia; architect and journalist Donatella Bollani; and Filippo Manuzzi, Chairman of the Promotional Activities and Exhibitions Commission of Confindustria Ceramica. Projects will be evaluated on overall design quality, the degree to which Italian tile enhances the space, the volume of Ceramics of Italy member tiles used, and the project’s sustainable and functional attributes.
Photo credit: House in the Hill by These Architects
“Italian tile has long been a catalyst for architectural creativity, offering designers a material that is as technically and sustainably advanced as it is expressive,” said Clem. “Bringing these competitions together into a single international platform allows us to celebrate the remarkable ways architects and designers across the world are pushing the boundaries of how Italian tile can shape spaces, surfaces, and experiences.”
Photo credit: Tigertail by DI Group
Winners will be notified in July and publicly announced during a VIP awards ceremony at Cersaie 2026, taking place in Bologna, Italy from September 21–25, 2026. Award recipients will receive cash prizes and attend the show alongside a delegation of leading design media, architects, and designers, and will present their projects before an audience of international design and trade press, manufacturers, and tile industry professionals.
The submission deadline is June 5, 2026. There is no entry fee and multiple submissions are welcome. All winning projects will also receive robust marketing and PR support across North American and international media.
For guidelines and submission details, click HERE.
