Next Show : Schaumburg Convention Center | July 12th, 2026 | Mail : info@mlbarbertradeshows.com | Ph : 312.612.0591
The Original Midwest Tradeshow

Competitions

10 championship categories on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at Schaumburg Convention Center. Every category is open to all barbers and cosmetologists; your model's admission is included in the entry fee.

See the categoriesGeneral rules
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Compete

Championship categories

Times are show-day local time. Register for a category below — entry is completed securely on our registration page.

11:00amEntry $240July 12, 2026

COCCO Challenge — Powered by SamsBeauty

Freestyle — anything goes. For your clipper, trimmer and shaver you must use the new COCCO Veloce Lite series.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $1,000 & an exclusive VIP dinner with COCCO influencers and the executive team after the show
  • Every entry includes the new Veloce Lite clipper, trimmer and shaver
  • Every entry includes 2 tickets to Midwest for competitor & model

Judging criteria

  • Originality: creativity and uniqueness of hairstyle
  • Technique: the haircut should reflect a mastery of all techniques used
  • Complexity: level of difficulty and technical techniques used
  • Model suitability: how well the haircut fits the model's head shape
  • Artistic impact: visual appeal, cohesiveness and wow factor

Category rules

  • Contestants are responsible for collecting all prizes from the organizers on the day of the show before leaving the premises — otherwise prizes are forfeited. No calls, texts, DMs or emails the next day.
Registration closed
12:00pmJuly 12, 2026

Best Taper

Deliver a clean, polished taper at the neckline, temples or both, paired with a cohesive haircut that highlights your taper technique. Enhancements are allowed but must look natural.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $800 cash, clippers, championship belt & prize bag
  • 2nd Place: trophy, clippers & prize bag
  • 3rd Place: trophy, clippers & prize bag

Judging criteria

  • Fade control: smoothness in the transition from dark to light
  • Line work: crisp, sharp edges
  • Balance: symmetry between left and right sides
  • Technical execution: consistent grain direction, proper use of guards / clipper-over-comb
  • Finish: overall cleanliness of the haircut
Registration closed
12:45pmEntry $300July 12, 2026

MLB Tag Team Blades & Braids

Two-person team event: one barber handles the cut and fade while the other performs braids. The goal is a unified final look that blends sharp cutting with intricate braiding.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $2,000, 24k gold HEBS clipper trophy, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 2nd Place: trophy, clippers & prize bag
  • 3rd Place: trophy, clippers & prize bag

Judging criteria

  • Team coordination: seamless transition between cut and braid work
  • Blend & cut quality: consistency, smoothness, sharpness
  • Braid execution: clean parts, tight braids, uniform tension, creativity
  • Creativity & cohesion: how well the cut and braids complement each other
  • Difficulty & detail: complexity of braids and precision of cut
  • Overall presentation: finished look, cleanliness, style harmony
Registration closed
2:00pmEntry $120July 12, 2026

Rookie Best Fade & Style

Rookie barbers must deliver a clean fade combined with a styled top (waves, curls, pompadour, comb-over, etc.).

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $500 cash, championship chains, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 2nd Place: trophy, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 3rd Place: trophy, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 4th Place: medallion, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 5th Place: medallion, clippers/trimmers & prize bag

Judging criteria

  • Fade quality: transition smoothness, cleanliness, consistency
  • Styling ability: shape, hold, direction and polish of the top
  • Precision: sharp lines, neckline and detail work
  • Model suitability: how well the haircut fits the model's head shape
  • Professionalism: chair control, cleanliness and time management
Registration closed
3:00pmEntry $120July 12, 2026

Rookie Student Best Creative Cut

Open to barbers with two years of experience or less. This category mirrors the advanced creative cut but is dedicated to emerging talent, spotlighting skill and potential.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $500 cash, championship chains, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 2nd Place: trophy, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 3rd Place: trophy, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 4th Place: medallion, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 5th Place: medallion, clippers/trimmers & prize bag

Judging criteria

  • Creativity: innovation and design originality
  • Technique: line sharpness, pattern consistency, blend work
  • Control: clean execution with minimal mistakes
  • Difficulty for experience level: judges consider rookie status fairly
  • Overall impression: artistic value and haircut cohesion
Registration closed
4:00pmEntry $150July 12, 2026

Best Bald Fade & Style w/ Beard

Execute a clean, skin-tight fade blended seamlessly into the beard. Any beard length or style is allowed, but the overall haircut must demonstrate mastery of balance from head to face. Enhancements are allowed but must look natural.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $800 cash, championship belt & prize bag

Judging criteria

  • Blend quality: smooth transitions, no lines or shadows
  • Beard sculpting: sharp line-up, symmetry, fade continuity
  • Precision: clean edges and detailing around the ears and neckline
  • Technical difficulty: use of advanced techniques (clipper-over-comb, freehand work)
  • Overall presentation: model's finished look, style coherence, cleanliness
Registration closed
4:55pm – 5:40pmEntry $150July 12, 2026

The Traditional Best Fade & Style Champion

Each competitor has 45 minutes to execute a Traditional Best Fade and Style. The cut must incorporate scissors and clippers — we're looking for gentlemen's cuts: comb-over, pomps, tapers, straight part, etc. Low or mid fade is allowed. Judges focus on cleanliness, fade, style, precision, technique and finish.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $500 cash, championship belt, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 2nd Place: trophy, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 3rd Place: trophy, clippers/trimmers & prize bag

Category rules

  • No pre-cut.
  • Beard is optional.
  • Entry includes competitor and model.
Registration closed
5:00pmEntry $150July 12, 2026

The Best Creative Cut

A freestyle category where barbers showcase artistry and imagination through design work, patterns, colour enhancements (which must look natural) and unique cutting concepts.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $800 cash, championship belt, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 2nd Place: trophy, clippers/trimmers & prize bag
  • 3rd Place: trophy, clippers/trimmers & prize bag

Judging criteria

  • Originality: creativity and uniqueness of design
  • Execution: sharpness of lines, clarity of patterns, precision of cut
  • Complexity: level of difficulty and technical techniques used
  • Symmetry & flow: how well the design fits the head shape and haircut
  • Artistic impact: visual appeal, cohesiveness and wow factor
Registration closed
Entry $300July 12, 2026

The Original Tag Team Creative

Two professional competitors work one model for their best creative cut. Full details are confirmed at the competition briefing.

Prizes

  • Championship belt & prize bag
Registration closed
Entry $125July 12, 2026

The Lady Barber Champion

Open to lady barbers. Full details are confirmed at the competition briefing.

Prizes

  • Championship belt & prize bag
Registration closed
Read before you register

General rules for all categories

  1. A competition must have 10 or more contestants to receive the full payout. Less will be negotiated.
  2. If a category has 2 contestants a few days before the competition, it will be cancelled and the contestants will receive a refund.
  3. All categories are open to all barbers and cosmetologists.
  4. Each competitor must provide a live model (their admission is included in the entry fee).
  5. All competitors must check in at the registration area at least two hours prior to the competition to allow make-up time on the model. Competitors who are late forfeit their place and their paid entry fee.
  6. All participants (competitors and models) must sign a release form for photos and video.
  7. A competition briefing is held in the competition arena before each competition so everyone understands the rules and procedures.
  8. All competitors and models must remain in the competition arena until the judges announce their decision.
  9. There is no dispute process for the judging of this competition.
  10. Competitors bring their own tools and products — capes, combs, clips, shears, clippers, spray bottles, brushes, blow dryers, irons, styling products, etc.
  11. Dye and fibre enhancements are allowed in all categories except The Best Bald Fade. Enhancements must look natural.
  12. All sales are final.
  13. If you have any questions about these guidelines, contact us in advance. If you disagree with these guidelines, please do not compete. The panel of judges and their decisions are final.
Competition refunds are issued as store credit — see the refund policy. Questions about a category? Send a competition inquiry.

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The Original Midwest TradeshowSchaumburg Convention Center · July 12, 2026
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