Tickets Now on Sale: Sonare International Piano Competition 2026 at Benaroya Hall
Awards during the 2024 SIPC
The Seattle International Piano Festival is delighted to announce the public events of the 11th Sonare International Piano Competition, formerly the Seattle International Piano Competition, taking place September 26–27, 2026, at Benaroya Hall in Seattle.
This September, outstanding pianists from the youth, collegiate, and professional divisions will take the stage of Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall for a weekend celebrating extraordinary artistry and the next generation of international piano talent.
September 26: Youth Finals
The competition weekend begins Saturday afternoon with our youngest musicians. The first event, beginning at 2:00 p.m., features winners age 9 and under followed by the Final Round for Youth Competitors ages 10–13, concluding at 4:25 p.m.
At 5:30 p.m., the spotlight turns to the Youth Division ages 14–18, with finalists performing through 6:45 p.m.
September 27: Collegiate and Professional Finals
Featured Guest Artist, Jialin Yao
Sunday brings the competition’s advanced divisions to the stage. The Collegiate Artists Final Round takes place from 12:00–1:40 p.m.
At 2:00 p.m., the Professional Artists Final Round begins, featuring the competition’s highest-level emerging concert pianists in performances through 3:40 p.m.
The weekend culminates at 5:00 p.m. with a special Guest Artist Recital featuring Jialin Yao and the presentation of the 2026 Prizewinners.
Every round offers audiences something different—from remarkable young musicians taking some of their first major steps on the concert stage to collegiate and professional artists pursuing international careers. Rather than experiencing the competition only through its results, audiences have the opportunity to hear the artistry, excitement, and individuality of these musicians for themselves.
Tickets for Sonare International Piano Competition 2026 Are Now on Sale
Tickets for all five events are now available through Benaroya Hall.
Purchase Sonare International Piano Competition tickets at Benaroya Hall
We warmly invite Seattle-area music lovers, teachers, students, families, and supporters of young artists to join us. Volunteers and local families who host out-of-state finalists may be eligible to receive complimentary tickets.
2026 Competition Results and Finalist Notifications
Official notifications were sent on August 4, 2026, to SIPC preliminary round participants.
Participants who have not located their official results letter should first check their email spam or junk folder, as competition correspondence may occasionally be filtered there.
If you still cannot locate your results letter, please contact sipfchelsea@outlook.com for assistance.
Join Us at Benaroya Hall
For more than two decades, the Seattle International Piano Festival has worked to create meaningful opportunities for pianists and to bring exceptional emerging artists before the public. The Sonare International Piano Competition continues that mission by making the competition itself an exciting concert experience.
On September 26–27, come hear the finalists, celebrate the prizewinners, and experience two days of remarkable piano performance in one of Seattle’s most distinguished concert venues.
The finalists have been selected. The stage is waiting. Tickets are on sale. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 Sonare International Piano Competition.
