Leeds International Piano Competition — Applications (2027 competition)

Applications are open for the 2027 Leeds International Piano Competition, redesigned this cycle to find discoveries rather than reward résumés: pre-selection recordings are judged anonymously, there's no prescribed repertoire, and the upper age limit has been extended to 35. To apply, pianists submit a 20–25 minute recording made within the past 12 months as one continuous, unedited take, plus a simultaneous phone-quality verification video and three concerto choices, all through Get Acceptd by 31 October 2026. From there it's five rounds: anonymous pre-selection narrows the field to 60, an International First Round (recorded in cities including Beijing, Berlin, London, New York, Paris, Seoul and Vienna) to 24, a live Second Round in Leeds to 10, a Semi-Final with a 60-minute recital and short encore to 5, and a Concerto Final with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, which the competition states carries no more weight than the earlier rounds. Repertoire choices freeze on 1 February 2027 for the First Round and 14 June 2027 for the Leeds rounds. Prizes run from £50,000 and the Dame Fanny Waterman Gold Medal for first place down to £6,000 for fourth and fifth, alongside special prizes for communicating contemporary music, audience voting, and newly introduced prizes for a short closing piece and an audience-engagement project. Every competitor, not just winners, gets access to Competitor+, an artist-development scheme offering mentoring, management introductions, recording and performance opportunities through partners including Warner Classics, medici.tv and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, though the page doesn't specify entry fees or exactly how Competitor+ support is allocated.