Next Show : Premier Barber Institute, Norristown PA | April 26th | Mail : info@mlbarbertradeshows.com | Ph : 267.702.4MLB
Tri-State Barber Connection

Competitions

7 championship categories on Monday, April 26, 2027 at Premier Barber Institute. Every category is open to all barbers and cosmetologists; your model's admission is included in the entry fee.

See the categoriesGeneral rules
Compete

Championship categories

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

11:00am – 12:00pmEntry $100

Fastest & Cleanest Braids

Show your skills — bring your A-game and speed with your fingers and comb. Hair must be completely untouched (not parted, no prepping); all work is done during the competition. Judges focus on creativity, cleanliness and design.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $400 cash, championship belt & prize bag

Category rules

  • Entry fee includes competitor and model.
  • The first competitor to finish receives bonus points.
Register
12:15pm – 1:15pmEntry $150

Creative Freestyle Design

60 minutes to complete your best creative cut — a fade and design of your choice. Hot tools (curling iron, straightener, blow dryer, etc.) are allowed. This is your chance for full creativity on your model; the finished overall haircut is judged.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $500 cash, championship belt & prize bag

Category rules

  • No pre-cut.
  • Model must be pre-coloured if you plan on colour.
  • You must show a complete transformation.
Register
1:30pm – 2:00pmEntry $125

The Best Bald Fade

The cleanest bald fade in the building. No enhancements in this category.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: barber chair, championship belt & prize bag
Register
3:15pm – 4:25pmEntry $300

The Original Tag Team Creative

Two professional competitors have 70 minutes to complete their best creative cut — a fade and design of your choice. Hot tools are allowed. The finished overall haircut is judged.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $1,000 cash, championship belt & prize bag

Category rules

  • No pre-cut.
  • Model must be pre-coloured if you plan on colour.
  • You must show a complete transformation.
Register
3:30pm – 4:15pmEntry $75

Best Rookie Barber Student (Best Haircut)

For barber students and rookies: deliver your best haircut on a live model.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $250 cash, trophy, booster seat & prize bag
Register
4:45pm – 5:15pmEntry $130

Best Taper

35 minutes to complete a temple taper with taper back on any kind of hairstyle. Judges focus on cleanliness, fade, colour, style, precision, technique and finish. Enhancements allowed.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: barber chair, championship belt & prize bag
  • 2nd Place: trophy & prize bag
  • 3rd Place: trophy & prize bag
Register
5:30pm – 6:30pmEntry $150

Best Fade with Beard

60 minutes to execute a clean fade of your choice on any style haircut with a beard. Judges focus on cleanliness, fade, colour, style, precision, technique and finish. Enhancements are allowed but must look natural.

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $700, championship belt & prize bag

Category rules

  • No pre-cut.
  • Must show a transformation in the haircut.
  • This competition must have 15 or more contestants to receive the full payout; less will be negotiated.
Register
Read before you register

General rules for all categories

  1. All categories are open to all barbers and cosmetologists.
  2. Each competitor must provide a live model (their admission is included in the entry fee).
  3. 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.
  4. All participants (competitors and models) must sign a release form for photos and video.
  5. A competition briefing is held in the competition arena before each competition so everyone understands the rules and procedures.
  6. All competitors and models must remain in the competition arena until the judges announce their decision.
  7. There is no dispute process for the judging of this competition.
  8. Competitors bring their own tools and products — capes, combs, clips, shears, clippers, spray bottles, brushes, blow dryers, irons, styling products, etc.
  9. Dye and fibre enhancements are allowed in all categories except The Best Bald Fade. Enhancements must look natural.
  10. All sales are final.
  11. 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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Tri-State Barber ConnectionPremier Barber Institute · April 26, 2027
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