Next March, the 71st Maria Canals International Piano Competition will take place at the Palau de la Música Catalana. From March 15 to March 26, 2026, Barcelona will be filled with piano music as the best candidates from around the world compete for the prestigious prizes offered by the Maria Canals Competition. The winners will receive over €80,000 in awards. Young talents who aspire to turn their passion for the piano into a profession will be welcomed in Barcelona at the height of spring’s bloom.
Morning and afternoon session
Morning and afternoon session
Morning and afternoon session
Evening session
The Jury of 2026
Yukiko Akagi
Japan
Gustavo Díaz-Jerez
Spain
Billy Eidi
France
Sira Hernández
Spain
Pascal Le-Corre
France
Alexandre Moutouzkine
Russia
Pavel Nersessian
Russia
J.Y Song
United States
Catherine Vickers
Canada
Four concerts across Spain during the regular seasons of five of the most important Spanish orchestras.
Gold medal offered by Bagués-Masriera Joiers
Medal offered by Capdevila, Joiers i Argenters
6,000 euros
Medal offered by Joieria Grau
1,500 euros
1,500 euros
1,500 euros
From March 15 to 22
Eliminatory rounds and semifinal
The eliminatory rounds, which are held at the Petit Palau, are a real display of talent for piano lovers. A fantastic chance to get really immersed in the great piano repertoire, with some of the world’s most outstanding young piano talents. This year, the First Round takes place between March 15 and 17, the Second Round on March 19 and 20, and the Semifinal, with the best 6 contestants from the sixty candidates, will be on March 22. All rounds are open to the general public.
March 25
The Grand Finale
The Grand Finale of the Competition is the highlight of the competition and one of the most attractive milestones for piano lovers in the city of Barcelona. Three finalists compete for first place in the impressive and modernist concert hall of the Palau de la Música, accompanied by the JONC (Jove Orquestra Nacional de Catalunya) under the direction of Manuel Valdivieso, and with the best-known concertos for piano and orchestra. The celebration of the Grand Final is possible thanks to the collaboration of the Banc Sabadell Foundation and is broadcast live by the public broadcaster Catalunya Música.
March 26
Awards Ceremony
After more than ten days of intense competition, it’s time to celebrate and recognise the winners. The day after the Grand Finale, on 26 March, the Saló de Cent of Barcelona City Hall will be hosting the award ceremony. It’s a chance for the whole city to show its appreciation for the winners, the jury and all the prize donors, who made this competition possible.
Palau de la Música Catalana
The Palau de la Música Catalana has hosted the Maria Canals Competition since 1954. The most emblematic modernist hall in Barcelona and one of the most beautiful concert halls in the whole world, with a capacity for 2,000 people, hosts the Grand Finale of the Competition. The 3 finalists of the competition have the opportunity to play in this emblematic space filled to capacity. The First Round, Second Round and Semifinal take place in the Petit Palau, an auditorium with the latest technological features, with capacity for 500 people. In addition, the offices of the competition are located in its facilities.
