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Press and media accreditation: how to get accredited as a journalist

Press accreditation is permission from an organiser to cover a specific event – a match, festival, conference or parliamentary session. You apply to the organiser, usually weeks in advance, with proof of who you are and who you are reporting for. A press card supports the request, but the organiser decides, and most major events care most about a commission from an outlet.

This guide explains how accreditation works in the UK, what organisers ask for, how to write a successful request and how the FJA press card fits in.

Apply for your press card Press credentials explained

At a glance

What it is: Event-specific permission granted by the organiser
Who decides: The organiser or institution – never the card issuer
What you need: ID or press card, commission, portfolio, request in time
Typical deadline: Days to several weeks before the event
Guarantee: None – no press card guarantees accreditation

Press card vs press accreditation

Two different things that work together.

	Press card	Press accreditation
What it proves	That you work as a journalist	That you may cover a specific event
Issued by	UKPCA gatekeepers, employers or associations such as the FJA	The event organiser, venue, league or institution
Valid for	Months or years	One event, season or session
Needed for	Identification in many situations	Entry to press areas, media centres and photo positions

In practice, organisers often ask for a press card as one piece of evidence, together with a commission and examples of your work. The card does not replace accreditation, and accreditation does not replace the card.

What UK organisers actually ask for

Real criteria from major UK events and institutions.

Event or institution	Key criteria	Press card mentioned?
UK Parliament (press passes)	Media organisations regulated by Ofcom, IPSO or Impress; freelancers not ordinarily accredited	No – outlet-based
Premier League	Accreditation via Football DataCo and the home club; Media Accreditation Agreement before match day	No
EFL (football press ID)	Accepted ID includes the Football League ID card, UK Press Card, AIPS card and Sky card	Yes – UK Press Card accepted
Glastonbury Festival	National papers, wire services and established music media; no passes for uncommissioned freelancers, influencers or students	No
London Fashion Week	Commission from an established publication and published work from the last 12 months	No
Edinburgh Festival Fringe	Published reviews or arts coverage, outlet affiliation or a commission	No

Sources listed below, checked October 2026. Criteria change every year; always read the organiser’s current rules.

How to apply for accreditation step by step

A process that works for most events.

Find the media page of the event and note the deadline. Large events open applications weeks or months ahead.

Secure a commission – an email or letter from an editor naming the event and your role.

Prepare evidence: press card number, two or three relevant published pieces, audience figures for your own channels.

Apply and follow up politely; after the event, send the organiser links to your coverage.

Writing a request that gets accepted

Organisers receive many requests. Make yours easy to approve.

Include

Your name, outlet and role (reporter, photographer, podcaster)
What you will publish, where and roughly when
Audience size and type for the outlet
Your press card number and links to similar coverage
Any technical needs – power, pit access, interview time

Avoid

Asking for “free tickets” or plus-ones
Mass emails to many organisers at once
Applying after the deadline
Claiming outlets you do not work for
Implying that your press card entitles you to access

At the event and afterwards

Accreditation is a relationship, not a one-off.

Wear your accreditation pass and keep your press card at hand. Follow the media rules – photo positions, interview zones, embargoes – because breaking them can cost you future accreditation. Publish what you said you would publish and send the press office a link. Organisers remember reliable journalists, and next year’s request becomes much easier. Specific guides: concerts and events, sport, trade fairs, press conferences.

How the FJA press card helps with accreditation

Realistic expectations.

Where it helps

With smaller events, local venues, trade shows, conferences and press days, where organisers want a quick way to confirm that you are a journalist. The QR code lets them verify you in seconds.

Where it is not enough

Parliament, the Premier League and major festivals decide on outlet-based criteria. If an organiser specifically accepts only the UK Press Card – as the EFL lists it among accepted IDs – our card does not replace it. See the UK Press Card explained.

Frequently asked questions

What is press accreditation?

It is permission from an organiser to cover a specific event, usually giving access to a media centre, press seats or photo positions.

How do I get press accreditation?

Apply to the organiser before the deadline with your ID or press card, a commission from an outlet and examples of your work.

Does a press card guarantee accreditation?

No. The organiser decides. Even UK Press Card holders have no right to accreditation; the Sports Journalists’ Association notes that no press card guarantees entry to a match.

Can freelancers get accredited?

Yes, especially with a commission. Some institutions, such as the UK Parliament, say they will not ordinarily accredit freelancers.

How far in advance should I apply?

As early as possible. Major events often close applications weeks before; smaller events may need a few days.

Can bloggers and YouTubers get accreditation?

Many events accredit online media with a relevant audience. Some, such as Glastonbury, exclude influencers. Read each organiser’s criteria.

What is the difference between press credentials and accreditation?

The terms overlap. Press credentials often means any documents proving you are a journalist; accreditation is the event-specific permission.

Do I need accreditation for public events?

Not for reporting from public spaces. You need it to enter press areas or ticketed venues.

How long does an accreditation decision take?

It varies widely. Small events may answer within days; major sporting, political or cultural events often decide close to the date after their application window has closed. Apply early and do not book non-refundable travel until you are accredited.

Can I appeal if my accreditation is refused?

There is usually no formal appeal. You can politely ask for the reason and whether more information would help, and apply again for a later event with stronger evidence of your coverage.

Do I need separate accreditation for each day of a multi-day event?

That depends on the organiser. Some issue passes for the whole event, others for specific days or areas. Check the accreditation conditions and request exactly the days you need.

Is media accreditation the same as press accreditation?

Yes. Organisers use “press accreditation”, “media accreditation” and “media credentials” for the same thing: permission to cover a specific event or institution as a journalist, usually confirmed with an event pass.

Does accreditation work differently in the USA?

The principle is the same – the organiser decides – but some US institutions run formal systems, such as the congressional press galleries or the New York City press card. See press credentials in the USA.

Sources and last review

Last reviewed: October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.