th
\n<\/sup>NOSPR Concert Hall
\nplac Wojciecha Kilara 1<\/p>\nTimeline:
\n16:00 h:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Doors open
\n17,00 h:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Delivery of the following awards:
\nEastTop Harmonica Award to the best harmonica player
\nDelfina Blues guitar to the best guitar player
\n17:30 h.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 EBC Grand finale: 8 acts with a 20-minute break
\n21,20 h.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Awards ceremony:
\nAnnouncement of the Blues Behind the Scenes Awards.
\nDelivery of \u201cIt\u2019s a Blues City\u201d Diploma
\nAnnouncement of the best solo\/duo act
\nAnnouncement of the EBC winners
\nShort performance by the winners
\n22.30 h:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 End<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"EBC2026](\"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/EBC2026-Venues-Presentation-Image-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The Grand Finale will be held at the NOSPR Concert Hall (National Radio Symphony Orchestra)<\/strong><\/p>\nPerformance order of The Grand Finale with the four best classified acts from both Semi-finals<\/u>:<\/p>\n\n- B3<\/li>\n
- A1<\/li>\n
- B4<\/li>\n
- A3<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
20 minutes break<\/em><\/p>\n\n- A4<\/li>\n
- A2<\/li>\n
- B2<\/li>\n
- B1<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Prize awards for the winners include performing at the following confirmed festivals:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- BB Blues Festival (Portugal), June<\/em><\/li>\n
- Sierre Blues Festival (Switzerland), June<\/em><\/li>\n
- Santa Maria Blues Festival (Portugal) July<\/em><\/li>\n
- Notodden Blues Festival (Norway), August<\/em><\/li>\n
- Swing Wespelaar (Belgium), August<\/em><\/li>\n
- Blues in Hell (Norway), September<\/em><\/li>\n
- Cerdanyola Blues Festival (Spain), October<\/em><\/li>\n
- Blues Alive Festival (Czech Rep), November<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
More confirmations soon.<\/p>\n
\nTHE BLUES MARKET
\n<\/strong>Thursday 16th<\/sup> & Friday 17th
\n<\/sup>Miasto Ogrod\u00f3w
\nplac Sejmu \u015al\u0105skiego 2<\/p>\n![\"BluesMarket\"](\"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/BluesMarket.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The legendary EBC Blues Market is a free, unique opportunity for all EBU Members to present their activities in an informal setting, to meet, interact and communicate with other blues professionals, media, and enthusiasts, as well as to meet with the EBC participant bands. The EBU will reserve a table at your disposal, where you can have your presentations, publications, and advertising materials on display<\/p>\n
![\"BluesMarket2025Split.SussieUmsari\"](\"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/BluesMarket2025Split.SussieUmsari.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u00a0Blues Market in Split 2025<\/strong><\/p>\nA space devoted to all blues friends, different professional firms, luthiers and blues fans and lovers.<\/p>\n
WORKSHOPS
\n<\/strong>Saturday 18th<\/sup> April
\nMiasto Ogrod\u00f3w
\nplac Sejmu \u015al\u0105skiego 2
\nTime: 14:30 \u2013 15:30 and 15:30 \u2013 16:30<\/p>\nTwo interesting workshops will take place led by two specialists in the matter<\/p>\n
THE BLUES EXPO<\/strong><\/p>\nOur European Blues Expo Photo Exhibition will be in the form of a digital presentation with awesome photos by many photographers from the previous EBCs to reminisce the past EBC editions.<\/p>\n
The Blues Expo will take place in the foyers of both venues<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nCOLLABORATION TO STRENGTHEN THE BLUES SCENE IN EUROPE<\/strong><\/p>\nThe 14th edition of the European Blues Challenge is being made possible thanks to the close collaboration between the EBU, the City of Katowice and Trovas Soltas, an organization which has been working for years to promote live blues music and blues artists in Portugal.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here is all the information about the next European Blues Challenge: European Blues Challenge 2026, Katowice, Poland Katowice, in southern Poland, is an important center of commerce, business, transportation, and culture. It\u2019s the home of many national and internationally renowned popular music festivals like Rawa Blues, which is said to be the world\u2019s biggest indoor blues festival. HOW TO ARRIVE From Krakow airport and Bus to Katowice: \u00a0 From Krakow Airport and Train to Katowice: \u00a0 From Katowice Airport to Katowice Center: The official currency in Poland is zloty (PLN). 1 PLN is about 0.25 euros; 1 euro is about 4 PLN ACCOMODATION The official EBC Hotel is: HOTEL MERCURE KATOWICE CENTRUM M\u0142y\u0144ska 6, 40-098 Katowice +48 32 797 88 00 https:\/\/all.accor.com\/ssr\/app\/accor\/rates\/B580\/index.en.shtml email: hb580-re@accor.com The hotel offers a total of 268 guest rooms THE EUROPEAN BLUES CHALLENGE: Link to buy tickets : https:\/\/tickets.ebc26.eu SEMI-FINALS Thursday 16th & Friday 17th Miasto Ogrod\u00f3w plac Sejmu \u015al\u0105skiego 2 Thursday timeline: 16:00 Doors open 16:30 Welcoming Ceremony 17:00 First semifinal: 12 acts with 20-minute break 23:30 Announcement of the 4 classified acts Friday 17 timeline: 16:00 Doors open 17:00 Second semifinal: 12 acts with a 20-minute break 23:30 Announcement of the 4 classified acts The two Semi-Finals, The Blues Market. GA & Workshops will be held at Katowice Miasto Ogrod\u00f3w (Cultural Center) PERFORMANCE ORDER AT THE EBC: The performance order was defined by a raffle at the EBU Board Meeting in Katowice on 11 October 2025: Thursday 16th April Semi-final (A): Portugal: Midnight Club Blues Band Denmark: Big Martin Band Spain: Sirjo Cocchi & Balta Bordoy-The Blues Way Poland: Red Chirowski & Pan Wydro Greece: Lava Blues Switzerland: Eve Gallagher Band 20 minutes break Sweden: Jenny Blue & The Tombstone Shadows UK: Emma Wilson Germany: Sean Athens Band Luxembourg: Rockin\u2019 Dukes Italy: Gloria And The Doctors Finland: Unna with Helge Tallqvist Band Friday 17th April Semi-final (B): Hungary: Kustan Adam Austria: Boogie Kathi & The Muddy Bluesmen Estonia: South Of Savoy Norway: Adama Janlo Georgia: The FreeRide Experience The Netherlands: The Hoochies 20 minutes break Bulgaria: Kamen “Katsata” Band Romania: Green Onions Experience Croatia: Jadran & Imperfect State Belgium: Tom Eylenbosch Czech Republic: Marc Slight & One “O” Eight France: The Supersoul Brothers More information at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/scl\/fo\/1aiqho912cmfmbd4y1bzf\/AM8T3Il62KX-br-uKYFRvZ4?rlkey=s0nfu741d77ed3ox8bznckoab&e=1&st=szp2hoe2&dl=0 THE GRAND FINALE Saturday 18th NOSPR Concert Hall plac Wojciecha Kilara 1 Timeline: 16:00 h:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Doors open 17,00 h:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Delivery of the following awards: EastTop Harmonica Award to the best harmonica player Delfina Blues guitar to the best guitar player 17:30 h.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 EBC Grand finale: 8 acts with a 20-minute break 21,20 h.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Awards ceremony: Announcement of the Blues Behind the Scenes Awards. Delivery of \u201cIt\u2019s a Blues City\u201d Diploma Announcement of the best solo\/duo act Announcement of the EBC winners Short performance by the winners 22.30 h:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 End The Grand Finale will be held at the NOSPR Concert Hall (National Radio Symphony Orchestra) Performance order of The Grand Finale with the four best classified acts from both Semi-finals: B3 A1 B4 A3 20 minutes break A4 A2 B2 B1 Prize awards for the winners include performing at the following confirmed festivals: BB Blues Festival (Portugal), June Sierre Blues Festival (Switzerland), June Santa Maria Blues Festival (Portugal) July Notodden Blues Festival (Norway), August Swing Wespelaar (Belgium), August Blues in Hell (Norway), September Cerdanyola Blues Festival (Spain), October Blues Alive Festival (Czech Rep), November More confirmations soon. THE BLUES MARKET Thursday 16th & Friday 17th Miasto Ogrod\u00f3w plac Sejmu \u015al\u0105skiego 2 The legendary EBC Blues Market is a free, unique opportunity for all EBU Members to present their activities in an informal setting, to meet, interact and communicate with other blues professionals, media, and enthusiasts, as well as to meet with the EBC participant bands. The EBU will reserve a table at your disposal, where you can have your presentations, publications, and advertising materials on display \u00a0Blues Market in Split 2025 A space devoted to all blues friends, different professional firms, luthiers and blues fans and lovers. WORKSHOPS Saturday 18th April Miasto Ogrod\u00f3w plac Sejmu \u015al\u0105skiego 2 Time: 14:30 \u2013 15:30 and 15:30 \u2013 16:30 Two interesting workshops will take place led by two specialists in the matter THE BLUES EXPO Our European Blues Expo Photo Exhibition will be in the form of a digital presentation with awesome photos by many photographers from the previous EBCs to reminisce the past EBC editions. The Blues Expo will take place in the foyers of both venues \u00a0 COLLABORATION TO STRENGTHEN THE BLUES SCENE IN EUROPE The 14th edition of the European Blues Challenge is being made possible thanks to the close collaboration between the EBU, the City of Katowice and Trovas Soltas, an organization which has been working for years to promote live blues music and blues artists in Portugal. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19338,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[50],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20176"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20176"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20182,"href":"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20176\/revisions\/20182"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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<\/p>\n![\"PhotoKatowiceStreet\"](\"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PhotoKatowiceStreet-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"KrakowBus\"](\"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KrakowBus-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"KrakowTrain\"](\"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KrakowTrain.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"KatowiceCenter\"](\"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KatowiceCenter.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"PhotoHotelMercuredKatowiceCentrum\"](\"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PhotoHotelMercuredKatowiceCentrum.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"EBC2026](\"https:\/\/societatbluesbarcelona.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/EBC2026-Venues-Presentation-Image-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n