2026 National Flat Picking Championships
Early Registration Continues Thru...
Friday, September 11th, 2026 at 5pm!
Contest Eligibility
The Walnut Valley Festival Championships are open to everyone except those performing as a billed or paid entertainer or workshop leader at the 2026 Walnut Valley Festival.
Anyone who won First Place in a championship during the past five years (2021–2025) is not eligible to compete in that same championship in 2026. However, previous winners may enter and win any championship they have not won within the last five years.
Example: A First Place winner of the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship during the past five years may still enter—and win—any of the other championship contests.
Contest Limits
The following championships are limited to 40 contestants:
- International Autoharp Championship
- National Mountain Dulcimer Championship
- National Mandolin Championship
- Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championship
- National Hammer Dulcimer Championship
- National Bluegrass Banjo Championship
Contestants will be accepted in the order they registered. The first 40 contestants present and answering when their names are called, 30 minutes before the contest begins, will compete.
The following championships are limited to 50 contestants:
- International Finger Style Guitar Championship
- National Flat Pick Guitar Championship
Contestants will be accepted in the order they registered. The first 50 contestants present and answering when their names are called, 30 minutes before the contest begins, will compete.
Recording & Livestream Notice
By appearing on an official Walnut Valley Festival stage, you grant permission for your performance and image to be livestreamed or recorded (audio, video, and still photography) by Walnut Valley Festival personnel and contractors. This includes any appearance or performance on an official WVF stage.
The Walnut Valley Association retains the rights to use these recordings and images to promote the championships and the festival.
Registration Information
Early Registration Ends: Friday, September 11, at 5:00 PM
Registration will reopen on the festival grounds at the Contest Registration Trailer beginning Thursday, September 17, at 8:00 AM.
Payment
Only debit and credit cards will be accepted on the festival ground
