What a result!

The coveted First Prize in the 18th Hastings International Piano Competition has been awarded to the 22-year-old Canadian pianist RYAN ZHU, after an exhilarating performance of Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No 2 in G minor with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, convincing the international jury chaired by Professor Vanessa Latarche. The jury praised the pianist’s artistry, musical insight and technical prowess, naming them the winner of the 2026 competition. The prize includes a cash prize of £20,000 plus the Hastings Fellowship, a package of support and mentoring that will help support this young artist as they embark on a career as a professional soloist. 

The complete list of prizes is as follows:

First Prize
RYAN ZHU

Second Prize
ROMAN FEDIURKO

Third Prize
ADRIA YE

Fourth Prize
JIWON YANG

Fifth Prize
 PIN-HONG LIN

The Sussex Prize, awarded for the best performance in the semi-finals.
ADRIA YE

The Orchestra Prize, awarded by members of both orchestras
RYAN ZHU

The Audience Prize, awarded by members of the live audience at the finals
RYAN ZHU

The Hastings Prize
awarded for the best performance of the competition’s commissioned work
PIN-HONG LIN

Professor Vanessa Latarche, Artistic Director, says: ‘The level of piano playing this year has been astonishing, and it has been truly inspiring to see such dedication and talent from these young musicians on stage. Many of our former prizewinners have gone on to have notable musical careers, and I have no doubt that many of this year’s competitors, and not just the finalists, will do the same. All of the finalists performed superbly, and we warmly congratulate our five prizewinners, as well as our outstanding first prize winner Ryan Zhu, who delivered a truly scintillating performance.’