Competition Regulations

The 22nd edition of the Competition will take place between March and September 2027 and will comprise an international application process, an International First Round presented in cities across the world, and live rounds in Leeds culminating in the Concerto Final. These Regulations govern participation in the Competition. By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with these Regulations and any associated policies, procedures and guidance published by the Competition. For the purposes of these Regulations:

Means an individual who has submitted an application to the Competition.

Means an Applicant who has been selected to participate in any stage of the Competition.

Means a jury appointed by the Competition to assess performances during the Competition rounds.

Means the panel appointed by the Competition to assess applications during the pre-selection stage.

Means the Leeds International Piano Competition 2027.

Means the period commencing with a Competitor’s participation in the International First Round and ending upon their elimination from, or completion of, the Competition.

The Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities born on or between 19 September 1991 and 30 March 2007 (inclusive).

Applicants must be available to participate in all stages of the Competition for which they are selected.

Previous First Prize-winners of the Leeds International Piano Competition are not eligible to compete.

Applicants must hold a valid passport and be eligible to travel to the countries in which Competition rounds take place.

The Competition may establish a reserve list of applicants and competitors at any stage.

The Competition reserves the right to verify eligibility and request supporting documentation at any time.

Applications must be submitted online through the Competition’s designated application platform.

Applications open at 13:00 (BST) on 2 July 2026 and close at 23:59 (GMT) on 31 October 2026.

Late applications may be submitted up to 23:59 (GMT) on 7 November 2026, subject to a non-refundable late application fee. All other application requirements apply equally to late applications.

No applications will be accepted after 23:59 (GMT) on 7 November 2026.

A non-refundable application fee is payable at the time of submission. A reduced early application rate is available for applications submitted by a published earlier date, and a higher non-refundable fee applies to late applications, as described in clause 4.1. The applicable fees, and the dates to which they relate, will be published by the Competition.

The Competition reserves the right to introduce application fee waivers or financial assistance schemes at its discretion.

If the Competition is cancelled, or is materially altered to the detriment of applicants, before applications are assessed, the Competition will refund or credit the application fee.

Applicants must provide:

1. A completed application form
2. Proof of age and nationality
3. A biography and curriculum vitae
4. Contact details for two referees, each of whom must provide a reference
5. A pre-selection audio recording, together with the corresponding fixed-camera verification video
6. A signed recording verification form, completed by the recording engineer or supervisor present at the session
7. A high-resolution photograph for promotional use
8. Repertoire information for all stages
9. Any additional materials requested by the Competition

Further details are available in the Application Guidance on the Competition website

Pre-selection recordings must accurately represent the Applicant’s own performance.

Recordings must have been made no earlier than twelve months before the application deadline. Applicants must state the date of recording, and the Competition may request supporting evidence, including original file metadata, to verify it.

Recordings must be performed and recorded in a single continuous take and must not be edited, spliced, overdubbed, assembled from multiple takes or otherwise altered in a manner that changes the musical performance presented for assessment.

The use of pitch correction, timing correction, artificial enhancement, AI-assisted processing, synthetic audio generation, performance simulation or any comparable technology that alters or enhances the performance is prohibited.

Applicants may be required to provide additional verification materials, including original recording files, metadata, engineer declarations, video recordings or other supporting evidence requested by the Competition.

Any recording found, on reasonable grounds and following such enquiry as is practicable, to have been manipulated, misrepresented or submitted in breach of these requirements may result in disqualification at any stage of the Competition. Any such decision will be taken in accordance with the process set out in clause 11.4.

Applications that are incomplete, inaccurate, submitted after the deadline, or otherwise fail to comply with published requirements may be rejected without assessment. Application fees are non-refundable.

It is the responsibility of each Applicant to ensure that they meet the published eligibility requirements before submitting an application.

The Competition reserves the right to request additional documentation at any stage in order to verify eligibility.

Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria, or who are unable to provide satisfactory evidence of eligibility when requested, may be disqualified at any stage of the Competition.

Submission of an application constitutes acceptance of these Regulations and any associated Competition policies, procedures and guidance.

All eligible applications will be reviewed through an anonymous pre-selection process.

A Pre-Selection Panel appointed by the Competition will assess the submitted recordings.

Sixty applicants will be selected to participate in the International First Round.

The International First Round will take place in designated cities worldwide.

Sixty competitors will participate.

A Jury of five, appointed by the Competition, will assess the performances.
Twenty-four competitors will be selected to progress to the Leeds Rounds.

Twenty-four competitors will participate in the Second Round in Leeds.

The Leeds Rounds — the Second Round, Semi-Final and Concerto Final — will be assessed by a Jury of nine appointed by the Competition.

Ten competitors will be selected to progress to the Semi-Final.

Ten competitors will participate in the Semi-Final.

Five competitors will be selected to progress to the Concerto Final.

Five finalists will perform with orchestra in the Concerto Final.

The Jury will determine the final ranking and prize awards in accordance with the Competition’s Jury Regulations.

Detailed programming guidance and operational information are published separately by the Competition and should be read in conjunction with these Regulations.

Competitors who are unable to participate in any stage of the Competition must notify the Competition as soon as reasonably practicable.

In the event of a withdrawal, the Competition reserves the right to invite a reserve competitor to participate.

Competitors must submit their repertoire for each stage by the deadlines specified by the Competition, in accordance with the Artistic Guidance on the Competition website.

Competitors must provide copies of the scores for their submitted repertoire on request, in PDF or another format specified by the Competition. Such scores will be used solely for the purposes of assessment and administration, and Competitors confirm that they are entitled to provide them.

The Competition reserves the right to request clarification or further information relating to submitted repertoire.

Repertoire may be amended only within the periods specified in Section 2.

Following the published deadlines, no changes may be made without the prior written approval of the Competition.

Competitors are expected to perform the repertoire they have submitted and that has been approved by the Competition.

The Competition reserves the right to disqualify a Competitor who performs unapproved repertoire, or who materially departs from the submitted programme without permission.

All members of the Pre-Selection Panel and Competition Juries are appointed by the Competition.

The Competition seeks to appoint juries comprising internationally respected musicians and music professionals with a breadth of artistic experience and perspectives.

The names of Jury members will be published by the Competition in advance of the relevant Competition stages.

For the purposes of this Section, references to the Jury and its members apply equally to the Pre-Selection Panel and its members, except where the context otherwise requires.

The Competition is committed to ensuring that all assessments are conducted fairly, independently and without discrimination.

Jury members are required to comply with the Competition’s Jury Regulations, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy.

Jury members must assess competitors solely on the performances and materials presented within the Competition.

The Pre-Selection process is conducted anonymously.

Submitted recordings and repertoire information are assessed without access to applicants’ personal details, enabling the Pre-Selection Panel to focus solely on the artistic merits of each application.

Jury members are required to declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.

Where a conflict of interest exists, the Competition may require a Jury member to abstain from assessing or voting in relation to a Competitor.

The Competition reserves the right to determine appropriate measures in response to any declared or identified conflict of interest.

The Jury will assess performances according to the artistic standards and objectives of the Competition.

Jury members assess competitors independently and confidentially.

Voting procedures are conducted in accordance with the Competition’s Jury Regulations.

Detailed voting records, vote totals and individual Jury votes are confidential and will not be published by the Competition.

The decisions of the Pre-Selection Panel and all Competition Juries as to the artistic assessment, selection and ranking of Competitors are final.

The Competition is unable to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants following the Pre-Selection process or the International First Round.

Competitors participating in the Leeds Rounds may be offered feedback opportunities through the Competitor+ programme.

The Competition will award the following principal prizes:

• First Prize and Dame Fanny Waterman Gold Medal
• Second Prize and Marion Thorpe Silver Medal
• Third Prize and Lady Roslyn Lyons Bronze Medal
• Fourth Prize
• Fifth Prize

Prize values will be published by the Competition in advance of the Competition.

The Competition may award additional prizes and awards. The specific special prizes for each edition will be announced by the Competition.


The Competition reserves the right to amend, add or withdraw special prizes where necessary.

Prize recipients will be determined in accordance with the Competition’s Jury Regulations and Voting Procedures.

All prizes will be awarded. In the wholly exceptional event that the Jury considers the required artistic standard has not been achieved, it may decline to award a prize.

Acceptance of a prize may be subject to additional agreements relating to professional engagements, recordings, publicity, media appearances, artist management representation, recording opportunities and other professional development activities associated with the prize.

Such opportunities may be offered at the discretion of the Competition and its partners and may be subject to separate contractual arrangements.

Prize recipients are expected to fulfil the reasonable obligations associated with any prize, award or professional opportunity accepted as part of the Competition.

Any such obligations will be reasonable and proportionate, and recipients are advised to seek independent professional advice before entering into any separate agreement. Acceptance of a prize will not be conditional on entering into representation with any particular agency or partner.

Further details of any prize-specific conditions will be provided to relevant Competitors.

Prize recipients may be required to participate in a reasonable number of Competition-related activities, including concerts, donor events, media appearances, educational activities and promotional events connected with the Competition.

Unless otherwise agreed, the Competition will meet reasonable travel, accommodation and subsistence costs associated with such activities.

Competitors are responsible for complying with any tax obligations arising from prize awards.

Where required by law, deductions may be made prior to payment.

The Competition may photograph, audio record, film, livestream, broadcast and otherwise document any stage of the Competition.

By participating in the Competition, Competitors grant the Competition a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use recordings, photographs, biographical information and other materials relating to their participation, for promotional, educational, archival and Competition-related purposes. Personal data contained in such materials is processed in accordance with the Competition’s Privacy Notice. More detailed terms governing the use of recordings and media may be set out in a separate agreement under clause 9.3.

Competitors progressing to later stages of the Competition may be required to enter into additional agreements relating to recording, broadcast, publicity, media participation and associated professional opportunities.

Competitors are responsible for all travel, accommodation, subsistence and visa costs associated with participation in the International First Round.

The Competition will endeavour to accommodate Competitors’ preferred First Round location where possible but reserves the right to assign Competitors to an alternative location if necessary.

The Competition may, at its discretion, offer financial assistance or bursaries to Competitors who would otherwise be unable to participate for financial reasons.

Competitors progressing to the Leeds Rounds are responsible for arranging their travel to and from Leeds.

The Competition will make a contribution towards reasonable travel costs, subject to the submission of appropriate receipts and supporting documentation. The maximum contribution available will be published by the Competition in advance of the Leeds Rounds.

The Competition will provide accommodation, meals and local transport for Competitors during the Leeds Rounds, in accordance with arrangements communicated by the Competition.

Competitors are expected to reside in the accommodation arranged by the Competition unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Competitors wishing to accommodate a partner, family member or other guest within Competition-arranged accommodation must obtain the prior agreement of the Competition. Any additional costs arising from such arrangements shall be the responsibility of the Competitor.

As part of the Competition’s commitment to environmental sustainability, Competitors may be required to provide information regarding their travel arrangements for monitoring and reporting purposes.

Competitors are responsible for obtaining all visas, permits and other documentation required for participation in the Competition.

The Competition will provide supporting documentation where appropriate but accepts no responsibility for the outcome or timing of visa applications.

Failure to obtain the necessary travel documentation will not normally constitute grounds for postponement, rescheduling or refund.

Competitors must arrive and register at the times specified by the Competition.

Competitors are required to read and sign the Competition Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct forms part of these Regulations and sets out the standards of behaviour expected throughout the Competition.

In order to protect the integrity and independence of the Competition process, Competitors who remain active within the Competition must not seek to discuss the Competition, their participation or their performances with any Jury member, except where such interaction forms part of an official Competition activity.

Normal social or professional interactions that are unrelated to the Competition may be permitted, provided that they do not compromise, or appear to compromise, the integrity of the Competition process.

The Competition seeks to provide all Competitors with an equitable and supportive environment in which to prepare and perform.

Teachers, coaches, family members, managers and other supporters are welcome to attend public Competition events. However, coaching or teaching activities may not take place within Competition venues, practice facilities, backstage areas or other designated Competition spaces during the Competition period.

The Competition reserves the right to investigate any alleged breach of these Regulations or the Competition Code of Conduct.


Where a breach is established, the Competition may issue a warning or, in serious cases, disqualify the Competitor from the Competition. This includes, but is not limited to, the submission of false, misleading, manipulated or fraudulently prepared application materials or recordings. Any matter relating to the integrity of a submitted recording will be considered in accordance with clause 4.3A.

Before disqualifying an Applicant or Competitor under these Regulations, the Competition will notify them of the matter, give them a reasonable opportunity to respond, and ensure that the decision is taken impartially. Any findings relating to the integrity of an application or recording will be treated as confidential.

The Competition is committed to providing an environment that is fair, inclusive and accessible to all participants. The Competition will make reasonable adjustments to enable disabled Applicants and Competitors to participate, and encourages those who require adjustments or additional support to notify the Competition as early as possible. Competitors are required to comply with any policies and procedures relating to equity, accessibility, safeguarding and participant welfare.

The Competition will collect, process and store personal data in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. Personal information will be used for the administration and delivery of the Competition and may be shared with Competition partners where necessary for those purposes. Where personal data is transferred internationally, or where special category data (such as information relating to health or accessibility requirements) is processed, this will be done in accordance with applicable data protection legislation and the Competition’s Privacy Notice. Further information regarding the collection, processing and retention of personal data is available in the Competition’s Privacy Notice.

Any complaint relating to the administration or operation of the Competition should be submitted in writing to the Competition. The Competition will consider complaints in accordance with its published procedures. The artistic decisions of the Pre-Selection Panel and Competition Juries, which are final as set out in clause 7.7, are not subject to appeal. Nothing in these Regulations affects an Applicant’s or Competitor’s right to raise a procedural or administrative concern through the complaints procedure, or any right or remedy available to them in law.

The Competition reserves the right to interpret and apply these Regulations and to determine any matter not expressly provided for within them.

The Competition reserves the right to amend these Regulations where reasonably necessary.

Any material amendments will be communicated to Applicants and Competitors as soon as reasonably practicable.

Where a material amendment made after an application has been submitted is to the significant detriment of an Applicant or Competitor, they may withdraw from the Competition and receive a refund of any application fee paid.

The Competition shall not be liable for any delay, interruption, modification, postponement or cancellation of any part of the Competition arising from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, public health emergencies, government restrictions, industrial disputes, acts of terrorism, war, civil unrest, failure of utilities or other unforeseen events.

In such circumstances, the Competition reserves the right to modify the format, schedule, venues or operation of the Competition as it considers necessary.

Where the Competition is cancelled in such circumstances, application fees will be dealt with in accordance with clause 4.2.

These Regulations are published in English.

In the event of any inconsistency between the English version and any translation, the English version shall prevail.

The decisions of the Competition in relation to the administration and operation of the Competition shall be final.

These Regulations, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter, are governed by the law of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any such dispute or claim.