XIX International Guitar CompetitionCuliacán 2026
Open to guitarists of any age and nationality. Submit a 6 to 16 minute video and compete for prizes of up to MXN $18,700 and a solo performance with the Orquesta Sinfónica Sinaloa de las Artes.
Key dates
Open from the publication of this call. Culiacán time (UTC-7).
On the Festival's Facebook page.
Live stream on Facebook.
Prizes
First prize
Second prize
Third prize
Fourth prizeSpecial Prize
The official amounts are those stated in Mexican pesos; the US dollar equivalents are for reference only, based on the exchange rate on the date of publication. All prizes are subject to applicable tax withholdings and fees.
Who can enter?
Guitarists of any age and nationality.
Who have not won first prize at the International Guitar Competition Culiacán in any previous edition.
Entrants under 18 must submit an authorization signed by a parent or legal guardian.
How to register
Upload it to YouTube
Set the visibility to "Unlisted".
Your email must include:
- Full name, country, date of birth, phone number, and email address
- A copy of an official ID
- Proof of payment
- Link to your YouTube video
- Your repertoire list (composer, title, and duration of each piece)
Video requirements
- One video, 6 to 16 minutes long, of classical guitar repertoire of your choice.
- Timing starts with the first note of the first piece and includes the pauses between pieces.
- A single take: no audio or video editing, no cuts between pieces, and no on-screen text.
- All pieces must be performed from memory.
- Fixed camera, with the performer's hands and face visible throughout the recording.
- At the start of the video, state your full name and the phrase "Culiacán es Cultura Musical 2026" (in Spanish or English).
Videos that do not meet these requirements will not be judged.
Judging
The competition has two rounds, judged on the same video:
Preliminary round
The jury will review all submitted videos and select the finalists. The number of finalists will be determined by the jury. Finalists' videos will be posted on the Festival's Facebook page.
Finalists: Thursday, December 10
Final
The jury will deliberate on the finalists' videos. Winners will be announced during a live stream on Facebook.
Winners: Saturday, December 12
- Any prize may be declared void if the jury so decides.
- In the event of a tie, the prize amount will be split.
- The jury's decision is final.
Jury
The jury will consist of at least three musicians with extensive professional careers and recognized integrity. At least two of them will be internationally renowned guitarists, and at least one will be a member of the Fundación Cultural de la Guitarra A.C.
General terms
- By registering, entrants authorize the publication of their video to promote the competition, on a non-profit basis.
- The entry fee is non-refundable.
- Registration implies knowledge and acceptance of these rules.
- Any matters not covered by these rules will be resolved by the organizing committee.
- The Spanish version of the call for entries is the official version.
Ready to compete?
Pay your entry fee, upload your video, and email us before Sunday, December 6 at 11:59 p.m. (Culiacán time).