How to caption a photo in Icon Sportswire style

Icon Sportswire (also searched as Icon style or Sportswire style) looks a bit like Getty at the top and a bit like AP in the name. The city line uses a two-letter state in the U.S., or the country abroad. The sentence still names the league.

The Icon Sportswire caption formula

Exact formula

{CITY}, {ST or COUNTRY} - {MONTH DAY}: {who} → {what they are doing} → {the league game} → {the date} → {the venue and city} (Photo by Photographer Name/Icon Sportswire)

One sentence after the dateline, usually 20 to 35 words.

Example Caption

LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 4: Kentucky Wildcats guard Collin Chandler (5) stands ready during the college basketball game against the Nicholls Colonels on November 4, 2025 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Photographer Name/Icon Sportswire)

Example Caption

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 1: England midfielder Jude Bellingham (10) controls the ball during the soccer match against Spain on June 1, 2024 at Wembley Stadium in London, England. (Photo by Photographer Name/Icon Sportswire)

Photographer credit

Icon Sportswire usually ends the caption with a parenthetical “Photo by” credit: photographer, a slash, then Icon Sportswire. When the frame is syndicated elsewhere, you may also see via Getty Images or another distributor after the agency name.

Typical pattern: (Photo by Photographer Name/Icon Sportswire)

Outlets that use this caption style may still want a different photographer credit. Match the credit format your editor or client specifies — it can differ from the wire’s usual line even when the body of the caption matches.

How to write the name

Write it like a newspaper ID: Kentucky Wildcats guard Collin Chandler (5). Keep the mascot on the team name.

Put the number in parentheses, not after a hash mark.

Date and place

The dateline uses an ALL CAPS month and an unpadded day: OCTOBER 26. The sentence repeats a full date such as on November 4, 2025.

Prefix uses USPS codes in the U.S. (KY, NY, IN) or the country in ALL CAPS abroad (ENGLAND, JAPAN). The sentence then names the venue and spells out the city and state or country: at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

The league game

Always include sport or league: “during the college basketball game” or “during the NFL game.” If players from only one team are mentioned, add the other team with “against.” If players from both teams are already mentioned, do not add either team name again. Use “between” for coaches, fans, and other non-player subjects.

Write the caption in four steps

Write CITY, ST - MONTH DAY: with a two-letter state code in the U.S., or CITY, COUNTRY abroad.
Identify the subject as Team position Name (number).
Add “during the [league] game” and against, between, or neither.
Repeat the full date, then venue and spelled-out city and state or country.

Frequently asked questions about the Icon Sportswire caption style

How do you write a caption in Icon Sportswire style?

Start with CITY, ST - MONTH DAY: in the U.S., or CITY, COUNTRY abroad. Then write Team position Name (number), the action, the league game phrase, the full date, and the venue in the city.

Is Sportswire caption style the same as Icon style?

Yes. Icon Sportswire is one agency and one Sideline preset. Searches for Icon style and Sportswire style refer to the same format.

When do you add the other team after the league game phrase?

If players from only one team are named, add the opponent with “against.” If players from both teams are already named, leave the matchup out. Use “between” for coaches, fans, and other non-player subjects.

How is Icon Sportswire different from Getty?

Icon uses KY instead of KENTUCKY, keeps position on the player line, uses parentheses, and names the league. Getty uses #, drops position, and writes “during the game.” Abroad, both use the country in the dateline instead of a U.S. state.