About CGWC 2026

The Classical Guitar World Cup (CGWC 2026) is the largest and

most innovative online competition for classical guitar music on

the planet!

Organised by the KC Artists concert agency, CGWC is a

low-cost, inclusive opportunity for classical guitarists of

all abilities to showcase their music to the world. For the

very finest in our competition (and also the most popular

among viewers) there really are some fantastic prizes on

offer, but all is not lost for those who do not win a prize:

what we offer for your guitar future is just as important.

CGWC 2026 will be a go-to place for talent-scouts, agents

and promoters looking for the guitarists of the future -

including our very own "spotters" at KCA too. So it really

does not matter whether you are a student, someone

who plays as a hobby, a budding pro or even a guitarist

who already has a long-established career, CGWC has

something to offer anyone who would like to belong.

We open the door. You decide if you are ready to walk inside.

CGWC is more than just a competition. We are also creating a worldwide

community of guitarists, there to offer support, to give encouragement

and the possibility - when you need it - of a boost to your career, your morale... and, of course, your music.

Our joint Presidents are pictured above. Poland's Aleksandra Sapok is a winner of multiple music awards as a classical guitarist, teacher and promoter, she has performed across Europe to critical acclaim and is a laureate of over 20 international competitions. She knows only too well from personal experience how costly and time-consuming it can be to enter guitar competitions. Aleksandra formulated the original idea for CGWC 2026 because she is passionate about providing an experience that is artistically rewarding, inexpensive and easy to enter - AND something that can enrich the lives of classical guitarists around the planet.

The veteran English lutenist Ben Salfield is an international concert artist with over four decades of experience in the music industry as a performer, composer, author and promoter. He launched his first music festival in 1992, since when he has directed countless concert series, and is a former talent-spotter who has lectured, given masterclasses, led many international competition juries and helped launch the careers of a number of professionals. His most notable work outside of international performance has been in the research and publication of renaissance lute duets, while his many broadcasts for the BBC and other TV and radio stations across Europe have been widely praised in the media.

Aleksandra and Ben jointly run not only the CGWC 2026 but also busy international concert careers, a thriving teaching practice and the KCA International Guitar Series. They also have rather a lot of cats! Their complementary experiences and skills make them a formidable pairing in the international classical guitar world.