2025 Best Cover Contest Winners and Finalists

Best Cover Contest
Best News and Politics Cover | Best Entertainment and Celebrity Cover | Best Business and Technology Cover
Best Fashion and Style Cover | Best Lifestyle Cover | Best Special Interest Cover
Best Local Magazine Cover | Best Independent Magazine Cover | Best Conceptual Cover
Best Illustrated CoverCover of the Year

Readers' Choice Award

 

COVER OF THE YEAR

The Atlantic - October 2024 IssueWINNER
The Atlantic
October 2024 Issue
Justin Metz, Illustrator

 
best news and politics cover

The New York Times Magazine - “Whitewash,” March 17, 2024WINNER
The New York Times Magazine
“Whitewash,” March 17, 2024
Mark Harris, Illustrator


High Country News - “When Migrants Go Missing,” September 2024READERS' CHOICE
High Country News
“When Migrants Go Missing,” September 2024
Roberto (Bear) Guerra, Photographer


The Economist - "The Centre Cannot Hold," June 29-July 5, 2024 FINALIST
The Economist

"The Centre Cannot Hold," June 29-July 5, 2024
Justin Metz, Photographer
Ben Shmulevitch, Illustrator


Mother Jones - "American Oligarchy,” January + February 2024FINALIST
Mother Jones
"American Oligarchy,” January + February 2024
Tim O'Brien, Illustrator


New York - “The Health Issue,” July 15-28, 2024FINALIST
New York
“The Health Issue,” July 15-28, 2024
Photo illustration by Martin Schoeller
Source photographs by Seth Wenig/Pool (Trump) and Mandel Ngan/AFP (Biden)


TIME - “Panic,” August 5, 2024 Split CoverTIME - “Panic,” August 5, 2024 Split CoverFINALIST
TIME
“Panic,” August 5, 2024 Split Cover


BEST ENTERTAINMENT AND CELEBRITY COVER

New York - “Reasons to Love New York,” December 2-15, 2024 Gatefold Cover

 

 

 

 

New York - “Reasons to Love New York,” December 2-15, 2024 Gatefold CoverWINNER
New York
“Reasons to Love New York,” December 2-15, 2024 Gatefold Cover
David LaChapelle, Photographer


ESPN Digital Content - “Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson: Minnesota’s Coldest,” October 22, 2024READERS' CHOICE

ESPN Digital Content
“Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson: Minnesota’s Coldest,” October 22, 2024
Marcus Smith, Photographer


Entertainment Weekly - “Evil Takes Root,” August 6, 2024FINALIST

Entertainment Weekly
Evil Takes Root,” August 6, 2024
Directed by Kristen Harding and Alison Wild


Rolling Stone - “Kristen Stewart: Uncensored,” March 2024FINALIST

Rolling Stone
“Kristen Stewart: Uncensored,” March 2024
Collier Schorr, Photographer


SELF - “Keke Palmer: At Your Service,” December 2024FINALIST

SELF
“Keke Palmer: At Your Service,” December 2024
Jason Kim, Photographer


Variety - “All About Anya,” May 7, 2024FINALIST
Variety
“All About Anya,” May 7, 2024
Jonny Marlow, Photographer


BEST BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY COVER

The New York Times Magazine - “The Retirement Issue,” May 12, 2024WINNER
The New York Times Magazine
“The Retirement Issue,” May 12, 2024
Alex Merto, Illustrator

 


New York - “The Power Issue,” October 21-November 3, 2024READERS' CHOICE
New York
“The Power Issue,” October 21-November 3, 2024


The Economist - “War and AI,” June 22-28, 2024FINALIST

The Economist
“War and AI,” June 22-28, 2024
Graeme James and Ben Shmulevitch, Illustrators


FORTUNE - "The Age of Unicorpses,” February/March 2024FINALIST

FORTUNE
"The Age of Unicorpses,” February/March 2024
Jeremy Enecio, Illustrator


Harvard Business Review - “We’re Still Lonely at Work,” November-December 2024FINALIST

Harvard Business Review
“We’re Still Lonely at Work,” November-December 2024
Nina Papiorek, Photographer


New York - “Raging Bill,” February 12-25, 2024FINALIST

New York
“Raging Bill,” February 12-25, 2024
Paul Kooiker, Photographer


BEST FASHION AND STYLE COVER

The New York Times Magazine - “Why Pants Are Blowing Up,” March 3, 2024WINNER
The New York Times Magazine
“Why Pants Are Blowing Up,” March 3, 2024
Bobby Doherty, Photographer


Entertainment Weekly - “The Art of Alan,” June 13, 2024READERS' CHOICE AND FINALIST

Entertainment Weekly
The Art of Alan,” June 13, 2024
Directed by Kat White


Allure - “Willow,” May 2024FINALIST

Allure
“Willow,” May 2024
Zhong Lin, Photographer


The Cut - “We Want Moore,” February 12-25, 2024FINALIST

The Cut
“We Want Moore,” February 12-25, 2024
Nadia Lee Cohen, Photographer


W - "The Art Issue,” Volume 6FINALIST

W Magazine
"The Art Issue,” Volume 6
Robert Longo, Creative Partner
Nick Brinley, Photographer


BEST LIFESTYLE COVER

VIRTUOSO - “The Hotel Issue,” July/August 2024WINNER AND READERS' CHOICE
VIRTUOSO
“The Hotel Issue,” July/August 2024
Anna Devís and Daniel Rueda, Photographers


Food & Wine - “The Holiday Double Issue,” December 2024/January 2025FINALIST

Food & Wine
The Holiday Double Issue,” December 2024/January 2025
Eva Kolenko, Photographer


New York - “Polyamory,” January 15-28, 2024FINALIST

New York
“Polyamory,” January 15-28, 2024
Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari, Photographers


SAVEUR - “Eat the World,” Fall/Winter 2024FINALIST

SAVEUR
“Eat the World,” Fall/Winter 2024
Gentl and Hyers, Photographers


Travel + Leisure - “It’s All About the Journey,” November 2024FINALIST

Travel + Leisure
“It’s All About the Journey,” November 2024
Collin Hughes, Photographer


BEST special interest cover

The Economist - “Gen Z: Reasons to Be Cheerful,” April 20-26, 2024WINNER
The Economist
“Gen Z: Reasons to Be Cheerful,” April 20-26, 2024
Javier Jaen, Photographer
Ben Shmulevitch, Illustrator


Concealed Carry - “The Great Caliber Debate,” November/December 2024READERS' CHOICE
Concealed Carry
“The Great Caliber Debate,” November/December 2024
Dustin Reid, Photographer
Ken Wangler, Illustrator


Audubon - “2024 Audubon Photography Awards,” Summer 2024FINALIST

Audubon
“2024 Audubon Photography Awards,” Summer 2024
Mathew Malwitz, Photographer


The New York Times for Kids - “The Games Issue,” December 29, 2024FINALIST

The New York Times for Kids
“The Games Issue,” December 29, 2024
Illustration by CSA Design/CSA Images


The New York Times Magazine - “The Olympics Issue,” July 28, 2024FINALIST

The New York Times Magazine
“The Olympics Issue,” July 28, 2024
Philip Montgomery, Photographer


Teen Vogue - “Jordan Chiles: Crowd Pleaser,” July 2024FINALIST

Teen Vogue
“Jordan Chiles: Crowd Pleaser,” July 2024
Erica Snyder, Photographer


BEST LOCAL MAGAZINE COVER

The Hollywood Reporter - “The Work Issue,” October 30, 2024WINNER
The Hollywood Reporter
“The Work Issue,” October 30, 2024
Fredrik Broden, Photographer


Oklahoma Today - "Eclipse!” March/April 2024READERS' CHOICE AND FINALIST

Oklahoma Today
"Eclipse!” March/April 2024
Saxon Smith, Photographer
Dale Coons, Illustrator


New York - “The Takeover,” May 6-19, 2024FINALIST

New York
“The Takeover,” May 6-19, 2024
Stella Ragas, Photographer


Texas Highways - “Small Town Summer,” July/August 2024FINALIST

Texas Highways
“Small Town Summer,” July/August 2024
Kenny Braun, Photographer


Texas Monthly - “Longer Than Ever,” December 2024FINALIST
Texas Monthly
“Longer Than Ever,” December 2024
Joel Salcido, Photographer
 
best independent magazine COVER

MIT Technology Review - “The Robots Are Coming,” May/June 2024WINNER
MIT Technology Review
“The Robots Are Coming,” May/June 2024
R. Kikuo Johnson, Illustrator

 
SAVEUR - “Eat the World,” Fall/Winter 2024READERS' CHOICE AND FINALIST
SAVEUR
“Eat the World,” Fall/Winter 2024
Gentl and Hyers, Photographers

Artdesk - “Girl in a Pink Dress,” Spring 2024FINALIST
Artdesk
“Girl in a Pink Dress,” Spring 2024
Painting by Laura Wheeler Waring
Photograph by Juan Trujillo

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists - “What YOU Can Do to Turn Back the Clock,” January 2024FINALIST
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
“What YOU Can Do to Turn Back the Clock,” January 2024
Thomas Gaulkin, Illustrator

Liberal Education - “The Mental Health Crisis,” Summer 2024FINALIST
Liberal Education
“The Mental Health Crisis,” Summer 2024
Paul Spella, Illustrator
 
BEST conceptual cover

New York - “The Psychic Toll of a Dead-Even Race,” November 4-17, 2024WINNER
New York
“The Psychic Toll of a Dead-Even Race,” November 4-17, 2024


Entertainment Weekly - “Well Suited,” December 16, 2024READERS' CHOICE

Entertainment Weekly
Well Suited,” December 16, 2024
Directed by Alison Wild and Kristen Harding


The Atlantic - “If Trump Wins,” January/February 2024FINALIST

The Atlantic
“If Trump Wins,” January/February 2024
Matt Huynh, Illustrator


Bloomberg Markets - “The Mistakes Issue,” February and March 2024FINALIST

Bloomberg Markets
“The Mistakes Issue,” February and March 2024
Ian Allen, Photographer


The Economist - “The Trumpification of American Policy,” October 12-18, 2024FINALIST

The Economist
“The Trumpification of American Policy,” October 12-18, 2024
Peter Crowther, Photographer
Ben Shmulevitch, Illustrator


Entertainment Weekly - “Shockingly Funny,” November 7, 2024FINALIST

Entertainment Weekly
Shockingly Funny,” November 7, 2024
Directed by Kristen Harding and Alison Wild

 
BeST ILLUSTRATED COVER

The Atlantic - October 2024 IssueWINNER
The Atlantic
October 2024 Issue
Justin Metz, Illustrator


Whitefish Review - "The Music Issue,” Summer/Fall 2024READERS' CHOICE
Whitefish Review
"The Music Issue,” Summer/Fall 2024
Mike Tallman, Illustrator


Mother Jones - “Under God,” November + December 2024FINALIST
Mother Jones
“Under God,” November + December 2024
Noma Bar, Illustrator


New York - "Sign Here, My Stallion,” July 1-14, 2024FINALIST

New York
"Sign Here, My Stallion,” July 1-14, 2024
Photo illustration by Joe Darrow
Source artwork by Victor Gadino
Lettering by McCandliss and Campbell


The New York Times for Kids - "When Pets Escape: The Great Goldfish Invasion,” January 28, 2024FINALIST

The New York Times for Kids
"When Pets Escape: The Great Goldfish Invasion,” January 28, 2024
Bill Mayer, Illustrator


The New York Times Magazine - “Sting Theory,” November 17, 2024FINALIST

The New York Times Magazine
“Sting Theory,” November 17, 2024
Armando Veve, Illustrator

 
READERS' CHOICE AWARD

ESPN Digital Content - “Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson: Minnesota’s Coldest,” October 22, 2024WINNER
ESPN Digital Content
“Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson: Minnesota’s Coldest,” October 22, 2024
Marcus Smith, Photographer


Entertainment Weekly - “Dune Dynasty,” February 20, 2024FINALIST

Entertainment Weekly
Dune Dynasty,” February 20, 2024
Directed by Alison Wild and Kristen Harding


Entertainment Weekly - “Evil Takes Root,” August 6, 2024FINALIST

Entertainment Weekly
Evil Takes Root,” August 6, 2024
Directed by Kristen Harding and Alison Wild


InStyle - "Unapologetically Sharon Stone,” February 2024FINALIST

InStyle
"Unapologetically Sharon Stone,” February 2024
Eric Michael Roy, Photographer


Teen Vogue - "Nicola Coughlan Is the Main Character,” April 2024FINALIST

Teen Vogue
"Nicola Coughlan Is the Main Character,” April 2024
Deirdre Lewis, Photographer