Event Overview - The 12th edition of the ITA Tunnelling and Underground Space Awards will take place on 4 November 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal, with activities extending through 6 November 2026 as part of the CPT 20th Anniversary International Conference.
The event is being organized in collaboration with the Portuguese Commission of Tunnels and Underground Space (CPT) and will be integrated into their conference program running 4–6 November 2026.
What the Awards Celebrate - The ITA Tunnelling Awards are an annual international competition organised by the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES). They recognise outstanding projects, innovations and individuals in tunnelling and underground space engineering across multiple categories — celebrating achievements that push forward engineering excellence, innovation, sustainability and industry impact.
Key Points for 2026
Call for Nominations: The formal call for nominations is expected to launch in Spring 2026
Awards Ceremony & Symposium: The trophies and recognitions (e.g., Gold, Silver, Bronze Brunel trophies and commendations) will be presented during a symposium and gala ceremony on 4 November in Lisbon.
Event Integration: Embedding the awards within the CPT’s 20th Anniversary Conference emphasises not only technical excellence, but also the community and cultural celebration of tunnelling expertise in Portugal and internationally.
Why It Matters
The ITA Tunnelling Awards have grown into one of the industry’s premier platforms for recognising:
- Major infrastructure achievements and complex tunnelling projects worldwide.
- Innovative technologies and methods that push forward the state of underground construction.
- Emerging leaders and young professionals shaping the future of underground engineering.
Industry Participation
Past editions have drawn entries from dozens of countries, with finalists presenting at dedicated seminars and discussions before winners are selected by an expert jury — highlighting global collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advances in underground space solutions. For further information please visit https://about.ita-aites.org/future-events/2571/ita-tunnelling-awards-2026 07/26.
