2026 Competition

Abstract black and white pattern with vertical lines and curve cutouts.
Graphic of horizontal lines with circles on and between them.
Five circles arranged in a diagonal pattern across horizontal black lines on a white background.
Illustration of piano keys
Black circular design with alternating solid and striped sections, resembling a geometric pattern or a stylized abstract emblem.

2026 Prize Winners

  • Person in a black shirt standing against a wooden background

    Ryan Zhu

    First Prize,
    Orchestra Prize,
    Audience Prize

  • A man playing a grand piano passionately on stage, part of an orchestra performance

    Roman Fediurko

    Second Prize

  • Person playing a grand piano, focusing on a performance on stage.

    Adria Ye

    Third Prize,
    The Sussex Prize

  • Jiwon Yang

    Fourth Prize

  • A person in a black suit playing a grand piano on stage.

    Pin-Hong Lin

    Fifth Prize,
    The Hastings Prize

  • Watch now

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Woman playing grand piano in front of large historical painting in a dimly lit room.

Prizes

All five competitors who reach the final will receive a prize, and there will be two special prizes which are available to other competitors as well as finalists. Semi-finalists who do not reach the final will be awarded £150 each.

  • The winner will receive a package worth approximately £35,000, including: 

    • A cash prize of £20,000

    • The Hastings Fellowship, an artist development and professional coaching package that gives opportunities to start and sustain professional careers in the creative industries.  

    • Professional engagements including a concert at Cadogan Hall with the Royal Philharmonic and a solo recital at the Wigmore Hall in London. 

    • Professional Headshots taken in Hastings before or after the final 

    • A cash prize of £10,000 

    • Professional coaching session by an experienced artist mentor 

    • Professional engagement opportunities  

    • Professional Headshots taken in Hastings before or after the final 

    • A cash prize of £4,000 

    • Professional coaching session by an experienced artist mentor 

    • Professional engagement opportunities  

    • Professional Headshots taken in Hastings before or after the final 

    • A cash prize of £3,000 

    • Professional coaching session by an experienced artist mentor 

    • Professional engagement opportunities  

    • Professional Headshots taken in Hastings before or after the final 

  • This prize is sponsored by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

    • A cash prize of £2,000

    • Professional coaching session by an experienced artist mentor 

    • Professional engagement opportunities  

    • Professional Headshots taken in Hastings before or after the final 

  • A cash prize of £1,000 donated by Alistair and Arran Keith 

  • £500 - a special prize awarded for the best performance of the new commission by Sir Stephen Hough. 

  • This prize is sponsored by Anne Duke & Robert Park.

    A special prize voted for by the members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

  • For the first time this year, there will be a special prize voted for by members of the audience.

2026 Jury

President of the Jury

Prof Vanessa Latarche

Read Bio
  • Person in white shirt playing the piano with a focused expression.

    Eligibility

    Competitors must be aged between 16 and 30 for the duration of the competition. (26 February 2026 - 7 March 2026). First-prize winners from previous competitions may not enter again. 

Silhouette of a grand piano on a black background

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