The Mahler Competition

The application period for the Mahler Competition 2026, the international conducting competition that takes place every three years in Bamberg, Germany, with the Bamberg Symphony, runs from 15th September to 31st October 2025. Applications are submitted online via the competition website.

In January 2026, the jury will inform all applicants about the result of the selection of the final competition participants. These will be invited to Bamberg from 22nd June – 3rd July 2026 to conduct the orchestra in several rounds.

The competition will start on 23rd June 2026, while 22nd June will be for arrivals as well as the drawing of the eight preliminary rounds for 23rd-26th June. The main rounds will take place on 27th and 29th June, and the semifinals on 30th June. The final consists of three individual public rehearsals, which will take place on 1st and 2nd July. On 3rd July, the public final concert with the last three participants will take place, followed by the jury's decision and the award ceremony.

The organisers invite all participants who have already been eliminated to stay in Bamberg until the final concert. The competition is also expressly intended as a forum for contact making and networking.

1st prize: EUR 30,000

2nd prize: EUR 20,000

3rd prize: EUR 10,000

Special award: a studio production for BR-KLASSIK, with Bamberg Symphony