The countdown is on. In just seven weeks, singers from more than 30 countries will step onto the stage at the KWC World Finals — the most anticipated night (well, week) in karaoke. Here's everything confirmed so far for KWC LAS VEGAS 2026.
Mark Your Calendar
KWC LAS VEGAS 2026 takes place at the Veil Pavilion, inside Silverton Casino Lodge, Las Vegas. The Welcome Party kicks off the week on October 25, with the competition rounds running October 26–29. Entry is free and all ages are welcome — full event info is available at kwc.fi/event-info.
The Host Is Back: Welcome Back, Michael Yelvington
We're thrilled to announce that Michael Yelvington is returning to host the KWC World Finals! Florida's own "Silverfox" hosted the KWC Finals from 2012 to 2021 and now returns after a break to once again take the mic for the World Finals. His co-host will be announced soon — stay tuned.
A Bigger, More Diverse Jury
This year's jury is bigger and more diverse than ever. Every round will be judged live by a 5-member venue jury, bringing together professionals from across the music and entertainment industry with a wide range of specialties and backgrounds. Alongside them, the international video jury will be significantly larger than in previous years. The full jury panel will be revealed in early October — watch this space.
Karaoke Industry Summit
Thursday, October 29 isn't just Super Final day — it opens with the Karaoke Industry Summit, a day dedicated to bringing together karaoke industry professionals, partners, and media ahead of that evening's Super Final Rounds and Awards Ceremony. More details on the Summit's program will follow closer to the event.
Watch It All for Free — The Entire Competition, Live
Can't make it to Las Vegas? You won't miss a single note. The entire competition will be livestreamed, completely free, at kwc.fi/live.
You Decide Who Sings on Thursday
The audience has real power this year. Alongside the livestream, the public vote runs on the same page at kwc.fi/live — and it matters: the two singers with the strongest public vote results join the field for Thursday's Super Final. Voting opens when Round 1 begins on Monday, October 26, and closes when Round 2 ends on Wednesday, October 28. Make your voice count.
More announcements — including the co-host and the full jury panel — are coming soon. Stay tuned to kwc.fi for updates.
Prizes: Over €10,000 in Cash and Prizes
KWC 2026 is changing how it rewards its community. For the first time, part of every cash prize goes directly to the national partner who brought that singer to the World Finals — recognizing the work behind every journey to Las Vegas. Solo and Duet winners take home cash prizes plus free or discounted KWC licenses for their national partners, and every single contestant leaves with a participation medal, a diploma, and professional photos and video of their performance.
There's also a new twist on the Solo World Champion's prize: instead of a return trip to next year's Finals, the champion will travel to Helsinki, Finland, to record an original song, which KWC will officially release to the world. Add in the audience-voted Viewer's Choice Award, surprise on-site prizes, and extras from Singa and other sponsors, and KWC 2026 is giving away more in total value than ever before.
But ask anyone who's been to a KWC World Finals, and they'll tell you the same thing: for most of the singers on that stage, the biggest prize isn't cash at all. It's the competition week itself: the nerves, the performances, the new friends made from 25+ countries, and a permanent place in the KWC Family.
KWC LAS VEGAS 2026 IS IN OCTOBER
The global karaoke year culminates the last week of October. Because last year's World Finals were cancelled, this year's Finals uniquely bring together national champions from both this year and last, meaning more singers, more countries, and more stories on stage than ever. Entry is free and all ages are welcome at the Veil Pavilion, Silverton Casino Lodge, Las Vegas, October 26-29.
KWC is the largest global talent competition. National preliminaries run simultaneously in more than thirty countries, with thousands of singers competing for a place in their own national final and, eventually, the World Finals stage. For most contestants, simply becoming one of the singers who make it to Las Vegas and join the ever-growing KWC Family is the real win.
WHAT DO THE WINNERS GET?
Solo
1st place: €750, trophy, medal, diploma — plus a trip to Helsinki, Finland to record an original song, which KWC will then release
2nd place: €500, trophy, medal, diploma
3rd place: €250, trophy, medal, diploma
Duets
1st place: €500 each (€1000 for the duo), trophy, medal, diploma
2nd place: €350 each (€700 for the duo), trophy, medal, diploma
3rd place: €200 each (€400 for the duo), trophy, medal, diploma
The audience also picks a Viewer's Choice Award, and there are a few surprise prizes revealed live on stage.
Every contestant, winner or not, goes home with a participation medal, a diploma, and professional photos and video of their performance.
