Cannes Lions 2026: What We’ve Learnt As First-Timers Preparing For The Festival

This year, we’re hoping to attend Cannes Lions for the first time as press, and while we’re waiting to hear back, we’ve been doing our research.

Cannes Lions is one of the biggest global festivals for creativity, bringing together people from across advertising, marketing, media, design, tech, entertainment and culture. As Black creatives, we’re particularly interested in what it means to enter these global creative spaces, tell stories from our perspective and spotlight the opportunities that exist for creatives who are often underrepresented in these rooms.

So, ahead of the Festival, we’ve been looking into top tips for first-timers, watching the LIONS First Timers Webinar and exploring the Cannes Lions website to understand how to prepare properly.

Here’s what we’ve learnt so far.

1. Be clear on what you want from the week

One of the biggest things we’ve taken away from our research is that Cannes Lions can be overwhelming if you arrive without a sense of what you want from the week.

There is so much happening, and it would be impossible to do everything. So before we go, we’re asking ourselves: what do we actually want to get out of this?

For us, it’s about learning, building connections, finding inspiration and exploring where Black creatives can position ourselves within global conversations around creativity, culture, media and marketing.

It’s not just about being in the room. It’s about knowing why we’re in the room, who we want to connect with and what stories we want to bring back.

2. Go on the first-timer tour

A tip we’re definitely taking seriously is to go on the first-timer tour.

Cannes Lions is huge, and it seems like the kind of place that could feel overwhelming if you don’t know where anything is. The tour is designed to help first-time attendees get their bearings, understand the Festival layout and meet other people who are also attending for the first time.

It’s easy to assume you can just figure it out when you arrive, but we’d rather start the week feeling more grounded.

3. Research and register for partner spaces before you arrive

One of the biggest things we’ve learnt is that Cannes Lions is not just about the official talks in the Palais.

A lot happens along the Croisette in partner spaces hosted by major brands and platforms. We’ll be looking closely at spaces from brands like TikTok, Canva, Amazon and Pinterest, especially because these platforms are so relevant to creators, storytellers, entrepreneurs and creative communities.

Our tip is to check the partner list on the Cannes Lions website before you go, then look at which brands are hosting talks, workshops, panels or events you need to book in for separately.

For Black creatives, this feels especially important. These spaces can offer insight into where the industry is heading, how platforms are thinking about culture and what opportunities might exist for creators and creative businesses.

4. Download the Cannes Lions app

The Cannes Lions app seems like it will be essential for planning the week.

We’ll be using it to explore the programme, save sessions, build a schedule and connect with other attendees. With so much going on, having a plan should help us avoid wasting time deciding what to do in the moment.

That said, we’re also leaving space for unexpected opportunities, because Cannes sounds like the kind of place where some of the best moments happen spontaneously.

5. Join the WhatsApp group

The webinar also encouraged first-timers to join the WhatsApp group.

This feels especially useful if you’re attending alone, travelling with a small team or looking to meet people before you arrive. It’s a simple way to ask questions, share tips and connect with others who are also navigating Cannes Lions for the first time.

For Black creatives, community is everything, so we’ll definitely be looking for spaces where we can connect with like-minded people.

6. Sort your data before you travel

Even though there is Wi-Fi at the Festival, we’re still planning to sort our mobile data before we go.

The webinar recommended looking into a travel SIM or eSIM if you’re coming from outside the EU, so you don’t end up with a huge roaming bill after the week.

Between using the app, maps, messages, emails, content creation and social media, our phones are going to be working hard.

7. Pack for long days

Cannes may look glamorous, but we’re preparing for long, busy days.

Comfortable shoes are a must. We’ll also be packing a portable charger, sunglasses, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, a notebook and a light jacket for the evening.

The aim is to feel prepared, comfortable and ready for whatever the day brings.

8. Follow up while it’s fresh

If we do get the opportunity to attend as press, we know that the conversations, sessions and ideas we encounter will be valuable long after the Festival ends.

So one thing we want to be intentional about is following up properly. Whether it’s a quick LinkedIn message, an Instagram follow or a note after a conversation, we don’t want good connections to get lost in the busyness of the week.

Cannes Lions is a huge opportunity, but the real value will probably come from what happens afterwards.

Final thoughts

At the time of writing, we’re still waiting to hear whether we’ll be attending Cannes Lions 2026 as press, but preparing for it has already been valuable.

We’ve been researching the partner spaces, learning from the First Timers Webinar, planning to join the first-timer community and thinking carefully about how we want to show up as Black creatives in a global creative space.

Whether you’re attending as a creator, journalist, entrepreneur, marketer or simply someone curious about the future of creativity, preparation matters.

And hopefully, if we do make it to Cannes, we’ll be able to share the experience, insights and opportunities from the perspective of Black creatives navigating the Festival for the first time.