Once entry submissions are announced you can then read the entry submissions guidelines, record your entry and fill out the entry form.
Please enter the submission form for the Loopstation category only. This is important as there is specific criteria for this category.
All participants in the UKBC must be a UK Citizen or Resident. If you are not a UK Citizen or have only been a UK Resident for a short amount of time you may be permitted to participate if you plan to continue to reside in the UK and agree to represent the UK while you are the reigning champion at future battles and events.
If you are a dual/multi national then you are permitted entry but must have not entered another national battle that year (e.g. if you are a French and UK dual national and have entered the French Championships in the past 12 months then you will not be allowed to enter the UKBC OR if you enter the UKBC you will not be allowed to enter the French Championships).
We do not aim to exclude anyone from the UKBC due to their nationality but our goal is to have a UKBC Champion who will represent the UK at future events and battles.
If you are unsure, please contact us at admin@ukbeatboxchampionships.com so we can discuss with you further.
Once again, the Loopstation category is open to multiple looping types. All participants will compete against each other, but judges will assess each competitor based on how effectively they use their chosen looping type.
Please review the guidelines below to determine which looping type applies to you and read the Loopstation category rules and regulations before entering.
1 – Raw (No FX)
2 – Loopstation Only
3 – Loopstation + 1 Midi Device
4 – Loopstation + Extra Device/s + 1 Midi Device
5 – Loopy Pro + 1 Midi Device
For a more detailed overview and guidelines for each type, please see below
Following discussions with members of the UK and global looping community regarding the format introduced last year, we would like to provide the following clarification and updates for Raw No FX (Looping Category 1).
To clarify, Raw No FX means that no input or output effects may be used. This includes any effects assigned to the A, B, C or D buttons. The aim of this category is to promote a raw looping style with minimal audio processing.
Following community feedback, the following functions and processes are permitted within this category:
Any functions not listed above may be subject to review by the organisers. If you are unsure whether your setup complies with Category 1 please contact us before entering.
Computers and laptops are not permitted for use in the Loopstation Category.
The only exception is Looping Category 5 (Loopy Pro), where the use of an iPad is permitted as part of the setup.
Keyboards that generate or play external sounds are not permitted. The only keyboards allowed are those listed on the UKBC Pre-Verified MIDI Device List and these may only be used as MIDI controller devices. They must not generate or receive external audio.
All sounds, loops and tracks must be created live and triggered using the human voice. Pre-recorded audio, samples, backing tracks and pre-made loops are strictly prohibited.
Looping external non-human sounds is also prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, recording a metronome or other external sound source into a loop for later playback.
Competitors must use either:
A single mono output, or
A stereo output pair
Multiple outputs are not permitted and will not be accepted.
If you are unsure whether a MIDI device or additional piece of equipment is permitted, please contact us at loopstation@ukbeatboxchampionships.com before submitting your entry.
Entries must be recorded live. Pre-recording, overdubbing, layering or adding sounds after recording is strictly prohibited.
Minimal audio processing is permitted, including:
EQ
Compression (including Multiband Compression)
Reverb (where permitted by your Looping Type)
Automation of any kind is not permitted.
For full details regarding permitted audio processing, please refer to the “Can I process the audio of my entry?” section.
Your Loopstation and any additional permitted devices must remain visible in the video throughout your performance wherever reasonably possible.
If your equipment is not clearly visible, your submission may be deemed invalid if the judges are unable to verify your setup or performance methods.
Submit a Loopstation video entry between 2 minutes 30 seconds and 3 minutes 30 seconds in length.
Minimum length: 2:30
Maximum length: 3:30
Entries that fall outside of the permitted time range may be marked down by the judges.
Your spoken introduction is not included within the time limit.
At the beginning of your video, you must clearly state:
“My name is ________ and this is my submission to the UK Beatbox Championships 2026 Loopstation Category.”
You must also clearly state your Looping Category (1–5).
Upload your video to YouTube using the following title format:
Your Name – 2026 UK Beatbox Championships Loopstation Entry
*You may also include your track or song title in the video title if you wish.
Judges will rank all submitted entries and select a Top 8 to participate in the Live Eliminations on 17th October 2026.
Following the Live Eliminations, a Top 4 will be selected to compete in the Loopstation Battles on 18th October 2026.
Competition format and dates are subject to change.
The recommended and pre-verified midi devices can be found below.
If you want to use a device that is not on this list, please contact loopstation@ukbeatboxchampionships.com before starting/submitting your entry
The recommended and pre-verified ‘2nd devices’ can be found below.
If you want to use a device that is not on this list, please contact loopstation@ukbeatboxchampionships.com before starting/submitting your entry
Entries to UK Beatbox Championships may process audio mix after recording under the following rules:
Each participant must keep RAW audio files of their demo entry and have these ready to send (if they are requested by the judges).
Please keep these ready until AFTER DEMO SUBMISSION RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT
Upon entry, you must declare and compete exclusively as either:
If you enter using Loopstation (Categories 1–4) you may be permitted to switch between Categories 1–4 during the event. However, this is not recommended, as your soundcheck will be based on the most “advanced” or deepest looping category you intend to use.
For example, if you enter as Looping Category 2 but plan to use Looping Category 4 for one of your rounds then your soundcheck will be configured for Category 4. As a result, your Category 2 setup may not be fully soundchecked, which could lead to feedback, technical issues or other sound-related problems.
If you enter using Loopy Pro (Category 5) you may not change looping type after entry.
If you intend to switch between Looping Categories 1–4 during the competition, please contact us before the UKBC event so we can review your setup and ensure the necessary arrangements are in place.
The Loopstation category will be judged using the same criteria as in previous years, as outlined in the Judging Criteria below.
However, judges will take each participant’s looping category into account when scoring. Participants will be assessed based on how effectively they use the looping category they have chosen.
For example if a participant competes in Category 2, judges will evaluate how well they use the features and capabilities available within that category.
This approach is intended to ensure fairness across all looping categories. When comparing participants from different categories (for example Category 2 and Category 4), judges will consider how effectively each participant uses their respective category rather than just comparing the categories themselves.
Online judges for the Loopstation Demo Submissions will be announce very soon!
In the eliminations the shortlisting by the judges is based on whether they want to see you go through to the battle stage. The elimination is not a battle so you need to impress the judges that you have what it takes to compete.
The judges will be looking at your Musicality, Technicality, Originality and Performance. In the battles the judges will also be looking at your Engagement.
This is not an exhaustive list but some general guidelines:
Each participant will also be scored/judged within the context of their chosen Looping Type.
We are trying out this system for the 2025 UKBC so you, as an artist can maximise your potential and enter the competition in the way that you want and the way that you want to make music.
For example, if you are in the Raw & No Fx Looping Type then you would make your track/performance based on your potential and the judges would then rank you on how good you are at that.
So in a nutshell, it is how good you are, specifically, within in your chosen Looping Type.
This is how musical your beatboxing is. Have you crafted your composition and arranged your routines? For example, do they build-up and finish well? Have you used melody – bass lines or lead parts – and if so, are you able to keep pitch and deliver something with good tone and timbre that sounds musically pleasing? You must also think about any lyrics and words used and make sure they are audible.
Technicality is not just about speed. The judges will be looking for clarity, complexity and the timing of your delivery. They will be looking at the diversity of sounds you produce and the techniques you use. Do your routines bridge and flow into each other well? Do your beats hit on time and are well structured and thought out?
Remember, these are professional judges and they have heard a LOT of beatboxing. They will be looking for sounds and routines that make you stand out. Are your beats fresh and diverse? Are you biting or reusing someone else’s routine? Do you have something in your repertoire that is original and hasn’t been done before? Think original!
At the end of the day, the whole event is entertainment! People are attending to come and see you perform and battle. Have you captivated the audience and the judges with your routines? Are you confident and present on stage? The judges will be watching and listening to the crowd response. They will be watching how you use the stage and create a full performance in battle mode.
A battle is a battle. This means you need to engage your opponent! The judges will be watching the ‘fight’. How are you responding to your opponent? Are you brining the heat and the energy? The judges will be looking for quick-wittedness, ingenuity and clever comebacks.
