6th Franz Liszt Center International Online Piano Competition 2026
A prestigious international piano competition inspired by the Liszt tradition, judged by renowned artists — open worldwide, no travel required.
- Open to pianists worldwide
- International jury
- Professional video-based evaluation
- Diplomas, prizes & concert opportunities
Final Deadline: April 12, 2026
23:59 your local time
Why Apply to the Franz Liszt Center Competition?
The Franz Liszt Center International Online Piano Competition offers pianists a serious artistic opportunity to gain international recognition, professional evaluation, and valuable experience — without the financial burden of travel.
Participants benefit from:
• Fair and transparent jury evaluation
• International certificates valuable for CVs and conservatories
• Global exposure through Franz Liszt Center platforms
• Educational value focused on artistic growth
International Jury
Mr. István I. Székely
Concert Pianist, Katarina Gurska Superior Conservatory Madrid
Mr. István I. Székely is a celebrated concert pianist with numerous awards, recognized for his dynamic performances and high level teaching
Ms. Marija Maksimova
Piano Teacher North Macedonia
As an outstanding piano pedagogue, Ms. Maksimova has inspired and brought to success talented students through her engaging teaching style, knowledge and commitment to excellence.
Categories and Elegibility
• Open to pianists of all nationalities
• Multiple age and professional categories
• Free repertoire choice within guidelines
• Video submissions only (no travel required)
Prizes & Awards
• First, Second & Third Prizes in each category
• Special Jury Prizes
• Official diplomas
• Concert and performance opportunities
• Teacher recognition certificates
Previous Editions
• Pianists from over 40 countries worldwide
• Hundreds of international participants
• Highly positive feedback from students and teachers
Essential Competition Information
The 6th Franz Liszt Center International Piano Competition is open for contestants of all nationalities from all countries in the world and will be held ONLINE between April 20-May 04, 2026.
Applications with free repertory in five age categories are accepted (Please check the rules before applying)
The deadline for submitting your application is Sunday, April 12 2026 at 23:59 your local time.
Our Friends:
Prizes
Complete Concert, Exam and Competition Preparation System
All the participants of the Franz Liszt Center Competition have 30% discount on PianoMasterClass.com Season One Video Lectures
Concert Opportunities
Top Prize Winners will have the opportunity to play in concerts in Spain and Hungary
Certificates
Each participant will receive a Certificate of participation
Scholarships
Top Prize Winners will receive a Scholarship
Recognition
Our Motivational, Talent-Friendly Piano Competition gives an international recognition
Category A Prizes
The Winner of the Absolute Prize will win the Franz Liszt Center Child Prodigy Award
+Scholarship of 150€
+Concert in Spain and Hungary
With the collaboration of Rotary Club Alfaz del Pi International: supporting young talents
+Online and presencial Master Classes for several pianists competing in this age category
Each pianist will receive a prize:
97-100 points: Absolute Prize
90-96 points: 1st Prize
80-89 points: 2nd Prize
70-79 points: 3rd Prize
Category B Prizes
The Winner of the Absolute Prize will win the Franz Liszt Center Young Prodigy Award
+Scholarship of 200€
+Concert Prize in Spain and Hungary
With the collaboration of Rotary Club Alfaz del Pi: Supporting Young Talents
+Online and Presencial Master Classes, several pianists from this Category will be selected
Each pianist will be awarded:
97-100 points: Absolute Prize
90-96 points: 1st Prize
80-89 points: 2nd Prize
70-79 points: 3rd Prize
Category C Prizes
The winner of the Absolute Prize will win the Franz Liszt Center Young Soloist Award
+Scholarship of 250€
+Concert in Spain and Hungary
With the collaboration of Rotary Club Alfaz del Pi: Supporting young talents
+Online and Presencial Master Classes, several pianists from this Category will be selected
Each pianist will be awarded:
97-100 points: Absolute Prize
90-96 points: 1st Prize
80-89 points: 2nd Prize
70-79 points: 3rd Prize
Category D Prizes
The winner of the Absolute Prize will win the Franz Liszt Center Advanced Soloist Award
+Scholarship of 300€
+Concert in Spain and Hungary
With the collaboration of Rotary Club Alfaz del Pi: Supporting young talents
+Online and Presencial Master Classes, several pianists from this Category will be selected
Each pianist will be awarded:
97-100 points: Absolute Prize
90-96 points: 1st Prize
80-89 points: 2nd Prize
70-79 points: 3rd Prize
Category E Prizes
First Absolute Prize:
Franz Liszt Center Advanced Soloist Award
+Scholarship of 500€
+Concert in Spain and Hungary
Second Absolute Prize:
Franz Liszt Center Advanced Soloist Award
+Scholarship of 300€
+Concert in Spain and Hungary
Third Absolute Prize:
Franz Liszt Center Advanced Soloist Award
+Scholarship of 200€
+Concert in Spain and Hungary
With the collaboration of Rotary Club Alfaz del Pi
Each pianist will be awarded:
97-100 points: Absolute Prize
90-96 points: 1st Prize
80-89 points: 2nd Prize
70-79 points: 3rd Prize
Rules and Conditions
The 6th Franz Liszt Center International Piano Competition is open for contestants of all nationalities from all countries in the world and will be held between April 20-May 04, 2026.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
- Find your Age Category
- Find the corresponding application fee payment link
- Fill in the Application Form
- Allow us 24h to process your application
- We will confirm your application after we have processed it. If your application is accepted, we will send you the payment information of the application fee.
1. APPLICATION FEE
The application fee for each category:
- Category A: 50 euros
- Category B: 55 euros
- Category C: 60 euros
- Category D: 70 euros
- Category E: 80 euros
2. The Competition takes place entirely online
3. AGE CATEGORIES:
- Category A: 6-8 years old
- Category B: 9-11 years old
- Category C: 12-14 years old
- Category D: 15-17 years old
- Category E: 18-36 years old
The contestants can apply in the corresponding, or higher age category-not in any lower age category. It is allowed to apply in two categories.
4. REPERTORY:
4.1 The contestants can choose a completely free repertoire always in the field of the classical music, and may be included any period and style.
Chamber music is not accepted.
Each category has only one stage:
- Category A: up to 6 minutes
- Category B: up to 9 minutes
- Category C: up to 13 minutes
- Category D: up to 15 minutes
- Category E: up to 30 minutes
We are flexible with the timings within reasonable limits (max 1 minute)
It is not obligatory to include pieces by Franz Liszt.
4.2 All contestants are obligated to play their program by heart.
4.3 If included in the programme, it is necessary to send us the scores of a contemporary piece.
5. VIDEO RECORDING REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Only recordings made in 2025 and/or 2026 will be accepted. Only direct YouTube or any other streaming service links will be accepted, we can not accept video files directly sent to us. Please make sure your recordings are not set to “private”, so we can access them.
5.2 The pianist must be completely visible, including the hands and the face.
5.3 The duration of the video can not exceed the time limit of the category (max 1 minute)
5.4 It is accepted to record and submit each piece in a separate link
6. DISCLAIMER
6.1 By participating in the competition, competitors automatically disown the right for any material (financial) remuneration regarding eventual publication and distribution of submitted music video recordings and the other sent materials.
7. JURY
7.1 The jury will consist of artistic directors, concert pianists and experienced pedagogues:
7.2 The jury work is based on the internal regulations.
7.3 The contestants will be judged based only on the submitted recordings.
7.4 The decisions of the jury is final and irrevocable.
8. The application of minor age musicians must be filled and submitted by their parents or legal tutor.
9. The deadline for applying to the competition is Sunday, April 12, 2026 23:59 local time of the Candidate
10. By submitting the application, the participant accepts these Rules.
Key Dates and Events for the Competition
April 12
Deadline to apply
April 20-May 04
Jury Work
May 05
Announcement of the results
May 06
Contacting the winners
May 19
Certificates and Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
The Competition is open to all pianists from all over the world.
We have 5 age Categories:
- Category A: 6-8 years old
- Category B: 9-11 years old
- Category C: 12-14 years old
- Category D: 15-17 years old
- Category E: 18-32 years old
You can enroll by filling in the application form. Please make sure you read carefully the Rules and Conditions before applying.
We accept various payment methods including credit/debit cards.
Yes, it is possible to change the the programme until the deadline.
Our Piano Competition is entirely online, but we are active in organising concerts, master classes and workshops. We collaborate with several piano festivals in Europe and we hold the Liszten concert series in our Center.
Unfortunately not.
The repertory is free. The Jury will value a nice variety of styles, characters and the more creative you are in the choice of repertory, better it will be valued.
Yes, we collaborate with Festivals and Concert series. The top winners will get concert opportunities and the Jury might choose pianists to participate in Master Classes and Concerts. A winner’s concert is organised by us in the heart of Budapest as well.
You can reach us through our email or by phone, WhatsApp or iMessage. We are here to assist with any inquiries you may have.
We offer discount of 30% on PianoMasterClass.com Season One video lectures to all pianists who participated in Franz Liszt Center Piano Competition. Contact Us for more information.
Absolutely! On PianoMasterClass.com it is possible to reserve a presencial or online session.