Application Guideline 2026
Main Age Categories
The age category is calculated based on the anniversary of Chopin's birthday, 1st March, 1810.​
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Category A: Up to Age 11
Born after 1st March 2015 (inclusive)
Video preselection:
Free choice of repertoire by F. Chopin with no minimum time limit but a maximum of 10 minutes of performance. You may choose pieces from the semifinal and final rounds.
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In person:
Semifinal round (a maximum of 10 pianists will be admitted to this round)
Free choice of repertoire by F. Chopin with no minimum time limit but a maximum of 7 minutes of performance. You may choose pieces from the final round.
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In person:
Final round (a maximum of 5 pianists will be admitted to this round)
Free choice of repertoire by F. Chopin - the performance should last between 7 and 10 minutes.​​
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Category B: Up to Age 14
Born after 1st March 2012 (inclusive)
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Video preselection:
Free choice of repertoire by F. Chopin with no minimum time limit but a maximum of 15 minutes of performance. You may choose pieces from the semifinal and final round.
In person:
Semifinal round (a maximum of 10 pianists will be admitted to this round)
Free choice of repertoire by F. Chopin with no minimum time limit but a maximum of 8 minutes of performance. You may choose pieces from the final round.
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In person:
Final round (a maximum of 5 pianists will be admitted to this round)
Free choice of repertoire by F. Chopin - the performance should last between 10 and 15 minutes.​​
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Category C: Up to Age 16
Born after 1st March 2010 (inclusive)
Video preselection:
Free choice of repertoire by F. Chopin. The performance should last up to 15 min. You may choose pieces from semifinal and final rounds.
In person:
Semifinal round (a maximum of 10 pianists will be admitted to this round)
Free choice of repertoire by F. Chopin. The performance should last up to 10 minutes. Choice of repertoire must be different to that chosen for the final round.
In person:
Final round (a maximum of 4 pianists will be admitted to this round)
Free choice of repertoire by F. Chopin. The performance should last between 15 and 20 minutes and include one Mazurka by F. Chopin. Choice of repertoire must be different to that chosen for the semifinal round.
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Category D: Up to Age 19
Born after 1st March 2007 (inclusive)
Video preselection:
Free choice of repertoire by F. Chopin. The performance should last up to 15 min. You may choose pieces from semifinal and final rounds.
In person:
Semifinal round (a maximum of 10 pianists will be admitted to this round)
Free choice of repertoire by F. Chopin. The performance should last up to 12 minutes. Choice of repertoire must be different to that chosen for the final round.
In person:
Final round (a maximum of 4 pianists will be admitted to this round)
Free choice of repertoire by F. Chopin. The performance should last between 18 and 25 minutes and include one Etude by F. Chopin. Choice of repertoire must be different to that chosen for the semifinal round.
Festival Category: Individual Repertoires
(Virtual round - prizewinners will receive performance opportunity in London)
You can apply for one or more Festival Categories!
All pianists applying must be born after 1st March 2007 (inclusive)
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Category Mazurka:
Choose one of the Mazurkas by F. Chopin
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Category Ballade:
Choose one of the following Ballades by F. Chopin: Ballade from Op. 23, 38, 47 or 52
Category Polonaise:
Choose one of the following Polonaise by F. Chopin: Polonaise from Op. 26, 40, 44, 53, Polonaise-Fantasie, Op. 61 or Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise in E flat Op. 22.
Category Etude:
Choose one of the following Etudes by F. Chopin: Etude from Op. 10, 25 or Trois Nouvelles Etudes
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Category Impromptu:
Choose one of the following Impromptu by F. Chopin: Impromptu from Op. 29, 36, 51 or Fantasie-Impromptu Op. 66
Category Nocturne:
Choose one of the following Nocturnes by F. Chopin: Nocturne from Op. 9, 15, 27, 32, 37, 48, 55, 62
Category Prelude:
Choose one of the following Preludes by F. Chopin: Prelude from Op. 28
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Category Rondo:
Choose one of the following Rondo by F. Chopin: Rondo from Op. 1, 5 or 16
Category Scherzo:
Choose one of the following Scherzo by F. Chopin: Scherzo from Op. 20, 31, 39 or 54
Category Waltz:
Choose one of the following Valse by F. Chopin: Valse from Op. 18, 34, 42, 64
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Category Miscellaneous:
Choose one of the following repertoires by F. Chopin:Bolero Op. 19, Fantasie Op. 49, Berceuse Op. 57 or Barcarolle Op. 60
Category Polonaise Junior:
Choose one of the following Polonaise by F. Chopin: Polonaises Op. Posth. (G minor, B flat Major or A flat Major)
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Category Waltz Junior:
Choose one of the following Valse by F. Chopin: Valse from A minor Op. Posth.
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Category Nocturne Junior:
Choose one of the following Nocturnes by F. Chopin: Nocturne C sharp minor Op. Posth. or Nocturne E minor Op. Posth.
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Application Guide
Main Age Category
Submit a recording based on the correct category by enclosing YouTube links or Google Drive links in the application form. This will be judged in the preliminary round.
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If you are chosen as one of the final participants you must attend the semifinal/final round on the 2nd/3rd March 2026 - see competition regulations.
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Festival Category: Individual Repertoires
Submit a recording based on the correct category repertoire by enclosing YouTube links or Google Drive links in the application form.
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Deadline and Result
Main Age Category
Regular Application Deadline: 21st December 2025
Late Application Deadline: 4th January 2026
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Preliminary Result (for main categories): 11th January 2026
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Semifinal Round for All Categories (in person): Monday 2nd March 2026
Final Round and Concert for All Main Age Categories (in person) : Tuesday 3rd March 2026
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For the main category the final round will be held at Ognisko Polskie - the Polish Hearth Club in South Kensington, London SW7 2PN.
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Festival Category
Regular Application Deadline: 21st December 2025
Late Application Deadline: 4th January 2026
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Result: 18th January 2026
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Application Fees
Main Age Category:
Category A: Up to Age 11 £60
Category B: Up to Age 14 £70
Category C: Up to Age 16 £80
Category D: Up to Age 19 £90
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Festival Categories:
Each category will be £40.
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* Please wait for the confirmation email after you have submitted your application form. The email will include payment details.
*There will be an additional £25 fee for a late application fee - per each category and for all categories.
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Semifinal Round, Final Round, Gala Concert - Only for Main Age Categories
The 2nd March will be the semifinal round day for all categories. The 3rd March will be the final round day for all categories.
The prize winners will perform at the Gala Concert, playing a final entry piece chosen by the jury.
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At the start of the Gala Concert the jury will announce the Grand Prize Winner and at the end the Ognisko Audience Prize Winner will be announced.
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Prizes
Main Age Categories
Category A: 1st place will receive £200, 2nd place £150 and 3rd place will receive £100
Category B: 1st place will receive £300, 2nd place £175 and 3rd place will receive £125
Category C: 1st place will receive £500, 2nd place £250 and 3rd place will receive £150
Category D: 1st place will receive £1000, 2nd place £500 and 3rd place will receive £250
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Ognisko Audience Prize:
During the Gala Concert the audience will choose one favorite performer.
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Grand Prize:
During the Gala Concert the jury will announce the performer of the competition.
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Festival Category: Individual Repertoires
1st prize winner of each category will receive a diploma and performance opportunity. Every applicant will receive an electronic copy of proof of participation.