The 9th Kepma Cup Acoustic Guitar Competition 2026
Every guitar enthusiast is a seeker of light, always moving forward on their musical journey. Kepma is with you every step of the way, celebrating every breakthrough and every moment you shine!
Competition Dates
Auditions · OnlineJuly 1 - August 20
Semifinals · OnlineSeptember 1 - October 15
Final · In PersonOctober 28 · Shanghai
About the Kepma Cup
Since its launch in 2018, the Kepma Cup has been held for eight consecutive years. What began as a gathering inspired by a shared passion has grown into a place where more and more performers are discovered. Throughout it all, the Kepma Cup has remained committed to one goal: giving acoustic guitar enthusiasts an authentic, professional and inclusive stage on which to showcase their talent.
Whether you have just picked up the guitar or already have a well-developed playing style; whether you love fingerstyle or prefer to sing your story with a guitar, this stage is yours if you have something to express. This year, we are once again waiting to hear your sound.
Competition Categories
Fingerstyle
This category is for instrumental guitar performances without vocals. If melody, rhythm, technique and arrangement are how you express yourself, the Fingerstyle Category is your stage.
Vocal & Guitar
This category is for performers who sing while accompanying themselves on guitar. If you prefer to give voice to emotion and let your guitar carry the story, the Vocal & Guitar Category welcomes you.
Competition Schedule
Competition Rules
The full regulations for the 9th Kepma Cup 2026 are now available, including detailed judging criteria, awards and the participation agreement.
Download Regulations (PDF)Competition Judges
This year's competition will be judged by professional musicians, guitarists and industry guests. More than a competition, it is an opportunity to connect with professional musicians, accomplished performers and guitar enthusiasts from across China.
Featured Judge
Young Fingerstyle Guitarist · Music Educator
One of China's leading young fingerstyle guitarists, Chen Liang has devoted years to performance, teaching and composition. He has released albums including Untitled and Staying True, and has published several fingerstyle guitar method books.
Competition Awards
Registration
Contestants in China can register online or at a participating store. International contestants can submit their registration form and entry through the international registration channel.
Competition Updates
Competition announcements, registration notices, lists of advancing contestants, judge profiles, new entries and final arrangements will all be posted here. Follow the official channels for the latest updates.
Registration details, competition categories, the schedule and the rules are being released. Acoustic guitar enthusiasts everywhere are invited to follow and take part.
View DetailsDetails of online registration in China, in-store registration locations and international registration will be announced progressively. Choose the channel that best suits you.
View Registration OptionsAfter the auditions have been judged, the list of semifinalists will be announced through the official competition channels. Contestants should check regularly for the latest notice.
Coming SoonAudition entries, the list of semifinalists, final arrangements, winners and more will be updated as the competition progresses.
Stay TunedFAQ
Answers to common questions about registration, participation, the schedule and entry submission.
Complete beginners are welcome to follow the competition and prepare for future participation. However, this year's Fingerstyle and Vocal & Guitar categories require a complete 3-5 minute performance video, so we recommend that entrants have some basic acoustic guitar skills. Beginners can follow official competition updates, demonstration videos and future events as they prepare to enter in the future.
No. Registration is confirmed when the form is submitted, and it cannot be changed afterward. Only one submission is allowed per IP address. Please practice your competition piece thoroughly, record your performance with care and check all information before submitting the form.
This year's competition combines online entry submission with an in-person final. The audition and semifinal stages center on video submission, publication and judging. The final will be held in person on October 28 at the Bandai Namco Shanghai Cultural Center.
No. Each contestant may enter only one category. If two entries are found for the same contestant, the lower of the two scores will be used as the final result.
Yes. Online contestants in China must record a competition video, publish it on the designated platform in the required format, add the official competition hashtag and submit the video link with the registration form. In-store contestants in China can record at a local Kepma Guitars dealer, which will publish the video to Douyin. International contestants must record their own entries and email both the entry and registration form to the official competition address.
Requirements vary by stage. During the auditions, in-store registration locations will provide competition guitars, so contestants do not need to bring their own. During the semifinals, contestants in China must record with a designated competition guitar; international contestants are not required to use a Kepma guitar. In the final, all contestants must use a competition guitar supplied by the organizer.
During the semifinals, contestants in China must record their videos using a designated competition guitar. Online entrants can obtain one through the “Traveling Guitar” program, while in-store entrants can obtain one through their registration location.
No late registrations will be accepted. Registration and entry submission for this year's auditions run from July 1 to August 20. Contestants must submit the form and upload their entry within this period. The organizing committee will not accept applications after the deadline, so please plan your recording and submission in advance.
Competition results and lists of advancing contestants will be published on Kepma Guitars' official WeChat account and website, as well as through subsequent official competition notices. If the schedule changes, the latest official notice will take precedence.
For the latest competition information and contact details, follow Kepma Guitars' official WeChat account or visit the official website at www.kepmaguitar.com. International contestants can send registration forms and entries to the official competition email: margot@kepmaguitar.com.
