Rules, Prizes, Opportunities
For each category:
• Send us the performance you like best
• The program is free
• If you want, you can send us separate links
• You can subscribe to more than one category
• We will announce the Top Selection and then the winners
Please note:
• Entries are limited
• Reached the maximum number of subscribers, the applications will be closed, even before the deadline
• The cash prizes are obliged to the corresponding withholdings according to the current law
• The prizes may be declared void if the Jury deems it so
RECORDING PRIZE
WPTA Italy offers a Recording Prize in collaboration with the French record label Echo de la Luz. The selected pianist will have the opportunity to publish a piano album, both digitally and physically.
The Recording Prize will be awarded during the 2026 Gala Concert.
Special WPTA experience
WPTA Italy IPC winner(s) will be automatically admitted (fee-waiver) to WPTA IPC and to the World Piano Conference.
WPTA IPC Laureates will be presented as soloists at the annual World Piano Conference (WPC) in Novi Sad, Serbia.
WPTA IPC Laureates will have a chance of performing with the orchestra at the WPC Grand Gala Opening and as part of the WPC Evening Gala Recital Series.
In addition to their concert platform they will benefit from free masterclasses with world-class musicians and will have access to all events of the World Piano Conference.
The WPC offers the perfect opportunity to network and connect with influential pianists from around the world.
The Gala Award Concert and the First Concert of the prize-winners’ of the WPTA Italy IPC 2026 , will take place later on, next Spring 2026.
Categories
Junior A
Age 6 and under
program maximum: 5 minutes
First Prize
*Top Award: 300 €
Gala Concert in Italy/Spain
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
Second Prize
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
Third Prize
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
4th-5th-6th prize
Official certificate for winners and musical benefits
Top Selection
Honorable mention and musical benefits
Other participants
Certificate of participation and musical benefits
Junior B
Age 7 – 10
program maximum: 8 minutes
First Prize
*Top Award: 350 €
Gala Concert in Italy/Spain
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
Second Prize
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
Third Prize
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
4th-5th-6th prize
Official certificate for winners and musical benefits
Top Selection
Honorable mention and musical benefits
Other participants
Certificate of participation and musical benefits
Junior C
Age 11 – 13
program maximum: 10 minutes
First Prize
*Top Award: 400 €
Gala Concert in Italy/Spain
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
Season Ticket
for Fundación Scherzo concerts in Madrid
(free season ticket for the winner,
and 50% discount available for their companion)
Second Prize
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
Third Prize
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
4th-5th-6th prize
Official certificate for winners and musical benefits
Top Selection
Honorable mention and musical benefits
Other participants
Certificate of participation and musical benefits
Junior D
Age 14 – 16
program maximum: 12 minutes
First Prize
*Top Award: 500 €
Gala Concert in Italy/Spain
Concert in Spain
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
Season Ticket
for Fundación Scherzo concerts in Madrid
(free season ticket for the winner,
and 50% discount available for their companion)
Second Prize
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
Third Prize
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
4th-5th-6th prize
Official certificate for winners and musical benefits
Top Selection
Honorable mention and musical benefits
Other participants
Certificate of participation and musical benefits
Rising Star Pianist
Age 17 – 20
program maximum: 25 minutes
First Prize
*Top Award: 800 €
500 € Scholarship offered
by WPTA Italy (Masterclass benefit)
Gala Concert in Italy/Spain
Concert in Spain
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Season Ticket
for Fundación Scherzo concerts in Madrid
(free season ticket for the winner,
and 50% discount available for their companion)
Second Prize
300 € Scholarship offered
by WPTA Italy (Masterclass benefit)
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Third Prize
200 € Scholarship offered
by WPTA Italy (Masterclass benefit)
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
4th-5th-6th prize
Official certificate for winners and musical benefits
Top Selection
Honorable mention and musical benefits
Other participants
Certificate of participation and musical benefits
Piano Artist
Age 16 – 38
program maximum: 40 minutes
First Prize
*Top Award: 2000 €
Gold Prize 1000 €, offered by WPTA Italy
Invitation as a performer
at the annual World Piano Conference,
Novi Sad (Serbia)
Gala Concert in Italy/Spain
Invitation as a juror in the next edition
Free application to the WPTA IPC
Concert in Spain
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
Season Ticket
for Fundación Scherzo concerts in Madrid
(free season ticket for the winner,
and 50% discount available for their companion)
Second Prize
Silver Prize 500 €, offered by WPTA Italy
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
Third Prize
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
4th-5th-6th prize
Official certificate for winners and musical benefits
Top Selection
Honorable mention and musical benefits
Other participants
Certificate of participation and musical benefits
Amateur Pianist
no age limit
program maximum: 20 minutes
First Prize
*Top Award: 600 €
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
Season Ticket
for Fundación Scherzo concerts in Madrid
(free season ticket for the winner,
and 50% discount available for their companion)
Second Prize
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
Third Prize
WPTA Benefits
Scholarship for Leon Piano Meeting
Scholarship for High Specialization Masterclass
in Italy
Scholarship for High Specialization courses
in Madrid
4th-5th-6th prize
Official certificate for winners and musical benefits
Top Selection
Honorable mention and musical benefits
Other participants
Certificate of participation and musical benefits
The top 6 finalists of Piano Artist Category will be featured and broadcasted in our social pages.
*The Top Award for each category is awarded if the jury unanimously votes the highest score for the first prize.
The Gala Awards Concert of the prize-winners of the WPTA Italy IPC 2026, will take place during the Autumn 2026.
Special Prizes
- RECORDING PRIZE – Digital and physical publishing of a piano album
- Best performance of a work of Baroque Composer
- Best performance of a work of Classical Composer
- Best performance of a work of Romantic Composer
- Best performance of a work of Contemporary Composer
- Best performance of a work of Spanish Composer
- Best performance of a work of L. van Beethoven
- Best performance of Virtuoso Etude
- Best Indian Pianist
- Best performance of Virtuoso Composition
- Best performance of a work of a contemporary Female Composer
- Best African Pianist
- Best Asian Pianist
- Best European Pianist
- Best North American Pianist
- Best South American Pianist
- Best Australian Pianist
- Best Peruvian Pianist
Teacher Prizes
- Certificate of Appreciation for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize’s teachers
- Honour Certificate for the teacher who will have the highest number of prize winners
* The WPTA Italy IPC Top Award for each category is awarded only if the jury unanimously votes the highest possible score for the first prize.
*The performances will be listened to by the links or downloaded in video format by the organization.
*The winners will be entitled to the prizes by participating in the Gala Awards Concert dedicated to them.
*Pianists participating in the Piano Artist category who have studied regularly with any member of the Jury in the last two years are not eligible to participate in the Competition.
