What’s new for 2025

Updates from the 9th International AIXR XR Awards (XR Awards Gala 2025)

3 min read

We’re excited to share the biggest news yet! As announced at the close of the 2024 AIXR XR Awards, Ori Inbar from AWE revealed that we’ll be joining forces for the 2025 AWE EU.

Even bigger news: AWE and Stereopsia have united to create UnitedXR, and now AIXR is proud to announce its integration into UnitedXR, partnering with Stereopsia’s European XR Awards® to present the XR Gala, a truly international, impactful, and definitive celebration of immersive technology globally.

Key Dates

Entries Open: 13 May 2025 Entries Deadline (late fees apply): 09 Sep 2025 Finalists Announced: 23 Sep 2025 Ceremony: 09 Dec 2025, Brussels

Contents

Updates // 01

What the XR Awards Gala means for you

Bigger and better than ever.

The combined forces of 3 industry leading events for XR means a bigger, more vibrant and fufiliing celebration of your work.

During this years celebrations:

  • Apply for global or European Categories from both AIXR & Steropsia
  • Save money by buying tickets to attend the ceremony and conference at packaged rates
  • Enjoy industry leading programming from AWE

As this is our first year, we expect some initial adjustments. Our priority is recognizing all XR applications while managing categories and programming. Some categories will be announced during our online-only opening show to keep the main ceremony concise.

This United XR collaboration allows us to bring the incredible creativity and technical prowess flourishing here to a truly global audience through the XR Awards Gala. We are excited to celebrate European excellence alongside groundbreaking work from innovators worldwide, highlighting the dynamic contributions from every region shaping our collective immersive future in Brussels Alexandra Gérard, Executive Producer and General Manager of United XR Europe

Updates // 02

New ways to attend the ceremony and conference

It’s never been easier to attend.

With the merging of AWE EU, Stereopsia, and the AIXR XR Awards, attendees can now conveniently purchase gala tickets directly through the United XR Conference website. Package deals for combined conference and gala attendance are available at reduced rates.

Hosted in Brussels, Belgium, the United XR Conference promises unmatched international collaboration, extensive workshops, and an expansive expo floor. Coupled with the XR Gala, home to industry-leading figures, this is an essential event for XR enthusiasts worldwide.

Based on feedback, dinner service will now be interspersed between award categories, enhancing the flow of the gala experience. Online viewers can enjoy dedicated industry content throughout the event.

To book package rate tickets, please visit the ticketing website for UnitedXR.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Book package rate tickets

    Go to the UnitedXR conference page to book tickets for the conference and ceremony at the same time for a discounted rate.

  2. Gain access to the network of Steropsia, AWE and AIXR.

    This year all three organisations come together to provide you unpresedented access to the VR/AR industry.

Updates // 03

Maxamise recognition through an XR Accolade

Be awarded an XR Accolade

Following last year’s successful debut, XR Accolades will continue with slight category modifications:

  • Accolades offer specialized recognition within broader categories (e.g., ‘XR Healthcare: Patient Education’).
  • Not every entry receives an accolade; awards are based purely on entry quality and standout excellence.
  • Accolades recognize excellence without guaranteeing main category wins.
Accolade recipients receive a digital crest and certificate, along with an official listing on the awards website. For those who’d like a lasting memento, a physical keepsake can also be ordered to proudly display in your office.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Increase your chances of being awarded an XR Accolade

    In your entry make sure to highlight the niche areas of your work and what made it stand out in these particular areas of interests under the main category you are nominating for.

  2. XR Accolades gain be earned in addition to main category awards

    In 2024 on avarage 2-3 accolades were awarded per categories at the judges discretion only. Accoldes can only be earned not applied for directly.

Updates // 04

Expanded support for independent creators

Creators Fund and Inclusivity XR Grant

Building on last year’s successful launch of the AIXR Inclusivity XR Grant, we proudly supported underrepresented creators worldwide. For 2025, we’re expanding with the XR Creators Fund, jointly supported by the AIXR XR Awards and European XR Awards®:
  • Nomination fees waived across all categories, including European XR Awards®, through the Inclusivity Grant.
  • Subsidized nomination fees for independent creators under the Creators Fund.
  • Complimentary tickets to both the XR Gala and the United XR Conference for those in either programme.
  • Opportunity for subsidized travel and accommodation for creators with proven financial need (subject to review).
Grant applications must be submitted through our dedicated portal and are reviewed by an expert industry panel. This initiative is generously supported by collective sponsors and EU government funding.

Key Takeaways:

  1. If you are an independent creator and need financial support apply for support

    Your application for financial support will be accessed against a set criteria to ensure those who need support get access to discounted nominations and support to attend / travel to the the ceremony

  2. You can start your entry for nomination before your application has been approved

    Entries are pay on submision only, meaning you can start your entry while you wait for your creator fund or inclusivity grant application to be reviewed.

Updates // 05

Your acheivment and entries will remain persistent in 2025

You’ll submit your entries directly on AIXR Unicorn

We’re excited to launch Unicorn, the new platform for the 2025 XR Awards, designed to make submitting your entry faster and more valuable. We’ve streamlined the process by focusing on clear screen recordings to showcase your work, reducing lengthy written responses and complex questions. This lets you easily upload materials and spend significantly less time on the nomination itself.

The biggest advantage? Your work lives on. Submitting through Unicorn creates a permanent online showcase for your project, keeping it visible and discoverable by the XR community long after the awards. It’s more than an entry; it’s a lasting asset highlighting your innovation.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Faster Entries

    Simplified process emphasizes screen recordings over extensive writing.
  2. Permanent Showcase

    Your entry creates a lasting online hub for your work via Unicorn.
  3. Ongoing Visibility

    Gain continuous exposure within the XR community year-round.

Stay up to date

Register interest for all events updates, including ticket information.