Love It? Nominate Yekaterinburg's best business
Yekaterinburg entered the top 300 best cities in the world for quality of life in 2026. We believe — this is thanks to its residents: teachers, doctors, metallurgists, architects, entrepreneurs... Thousands of businesses operate in the city, and every year we thank them by holding the E1.RU People«s Prize. It is designed to recognize the best businesses in the city.
What is the People«s Prize? It is a prize for businesses founded by Yekaterinburg»s largest news portal — E1.RU. Since 2017, we have awarded companies voted for by city residents.
On 20 July, the first stage of the ninth People«s Prize launched on E1.RU. Until 17 August, Yekaterinburg residents can nominate their favorite businesses that they believe deserve public recognition. Here is how the prize will run this year.
E1.RU People«s Prize 2026 Categories
We change the list of categories every year to cover as many different areas of Yekaterinburg residents« lives as possible. Last year, citizens chose the best driving schools, educational centers, and pet salons. These are the categories for 2026:
«Leisure of the Year»
«Medical Center of the Year»
«Dentistry of the Year»
«Made in the Urals»
«Educational Center of the Year»
«National Cuisine of the Year»
«Beauty Salon & Cosmetology of the Year»
«Sports Center of the Year»
«Automotive Business of the Year»
«Employer of the Year in Yekaterinburg»
«Business of the Year (Editor»s Choice)«
«In addition to the traditional categories, we have new ones. First, there is «Automotive Business of the Year,» where we expect any companies somehow related to cars: from tire fitting shops to car dealerships and driving schools.
We also slightly changed the «Restaurant of the Year» category, and this year we are expecting catering establishments with the best national cuisine. The category is called «National Cuisine of the Year.» Furthermore, the category for companies where employee comfort comes first is now called «Employer of the Year in Yekaterinburg» — we expect companies from Sverdlovsk Oblast that are not subsidiaries, franchisees, or branches of federal business structures,» — shared Marina Malkova, editor-in-chief of E1.RU.
Another important innovation. This year, winners of the E1.RU People«s Prize 2024–2025 in the categories: »Medical Center of the Year,« »Educational Center of the Year,« »National Cuisine of the Year« (formerly »Restaurant of the Year«), »Beauty Salon & Cosmetology of the Year,« »Sports Center of the Year,« and »Made in the Urals« cannot participate in the 2026 Prize. They will receive the status of special guests and experts of the prize. We will definitely reach out to these companies to learn the path to success for winning the people»s prizes over several years. And we will tell about them on E1.RU.
When will the E1.RU People«s Prize take place
The prize takes place in several stages.
From 20 July to 17 August — nominations are open. During this time, Yekaterinburg residents can propose companies they believe deserve participation.
18 and 19 August — the editorial board will summarise the results of the first stage and form a shortlist: ten finalists will remain in each category.
From 19 August to 24 September — voting will take place. It is during this period that E1.RU readers will choose the winners of the 2026 People«s Prize.
The names of Yekaterinburg«s best companies will become known on 25 September. On this day, the awards ceremony for the winners will be held at the Cosmos Concert Hall (KKT Kosmos).
You can nominate companies deserving of the statuette and the title of best business on the prize website: e1.ru/award.
Also check out the full list of winners of the 2025 E1.RU People«s Prize. We broadcast the awards ceremony live. If you missed it, watch our report.
