There are three barbering competitions you should have on your radar at Barber Connect 2025.
The Competitions Area at Barber Connect 2025, sponsored by Andis, has something for everyone - whatever stage you're at in your career.
What Are The Competitions?
Generation Barber, brought to you by Barber Connect in partnership with Mike Taylor Education, is all about platforming students and junior barbers, whilst The People’s Choice Barber Competition is a chance for experienced barbers to get involved by showing off their favourite classic cut.
The People's Choice Barber
To enter The People's Choice Barber competetion simply upload one image of your best classic cut, whether thats a pompadour, quiff, caesar cut, side part, crew cut or another classic cut you are proud of.
Round 1 will see submissions shared via an online voting platform to be put to a public vote. Winners will then be contacted and invited to attend the finals at Barber Connect.
Round 2 is the live judging element of the competition where the people's chosen finalists will be invited to cut live at Barber Connect on Sunday 18th May 2025 at NEC, Birmingham.
Generation Barber Competition
Generation Barber is a unique opportunity for the next generation to showcase their skills. Are you hungry for exposure or know someone who is? Enter here!
The two categories - students and apprentices - give newcomers to the profession a chance show the industry what they are made of, build their portfolio and get known to the industry's finest.
The entry process is easy. Simply submit three photos of your best work (front, side and back of ONE look) through the entry forms by 5pm on 25th April 2025.
The selected finalists will be invited to compete in a live final at Barber Connect on Monday 19th May 2025 at NEC, Birmingham where they will recreate their look on a model. You MUST be available on these dates.
Generation Barber Competition 2025 - Who Can Enter?
There are two categories in this compeititon. The Student category and the Apprentice category.
Student Category: Must currently be studying level 2 at an FE college and have no barbershop experience.
Apprentice Category: An apprentice who is currently training at a training provider or academy.
Generation Barber Competition 2025 - How to Enter
There are two rounds to the Generation Barber competition.
Round 1: Entries will be judged on photographs uploaded to the Modern Barber Website - you must choose between either the Student or Apprentice category.
The closing date for entries to this competition is 25th April 2025 at (5pm).
For further details on specific requirements, please see the Photographic Requirements section on the entry page.
Round 2*: The chosen finalists will be invited to create a look live in the competition area at Barber Connect, taking place on Monday 19th May 2025 at NEC, Birmingham. Make sure you have registered for Barber Connect.
*Criteria: It is acceptable for round 1 to submit a photo of your work on a head-block / mannequin. However, if accepted as a finalist, you must re-create the hairstyle live on a model (a head-block / mannequin will not be accepted).
When Will the Generation Barber Finals Take Place?
Both the Student and the Apprentice finals will take place on Monday 19 May at NEC, Birmingham live at Barber Connect.
10:30 Student Final
14:00 Apprentice Final
The Generation Barber Prize
Winners will not only win the title of Generation Barber Winner 2025, they will also:
🏆 Receive a trophy and certificate
📖 Feature in Modern Barber magazine
🎤 Get a pod slot on the Barber Sessions at Barber Connect 2026
