Now in its fifth year, BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year is open to musicians based in Scotland and continues to provide a platform showcasing the country’s vibrant and diverse musical talent.
Prizes include a professional recording session with BBC Radio Scotland, a coveted performance slot at Scotland’s largest music festival, TRNSMT, and a bespoke PR campaign to support the winning act at a key stage in their career.
Submissions are open now and close on Wednesday 18 February 2026 at 8pm. Artists can enter by uploading a track to the BBC Introducing Uploader and tagging it “Scotland 2026”. Full terms and privacy details can also be found at bbc.co.uk/radioscotland.
After the submission period closes, a panel of expert judges will whittle down the entries to four finalists who will battle it out in front of a live audience, broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland on Friday 27 March.
Phoebe Inglis-Holmes and Stephanie Cheape co-host BBC Introducing Scotland on BBC Radio Scotland and will once again present the BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year.
Inglis-Holmes said: “It’s such an honour to be bringing BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year back for 2026. This award shines an incomparable spotlight on Scotland’s cream-of-the-crop talent. With such big boots to fill following the incredible Becky Sikasa taking the title last year, I’m so excited to see who steps forward in 2026.”
Stephanie Cheape added: “Scotland is bursting at the seams with pop stars, DJs and rock bands, and it’s time the world heard them. I’m thrilled to be presenting what feels like a 2026 version of Top of the Pops. This opportunity is huge for artists fighting for their space in the music industry, and we’ve been following the best new music emerging from Scotland – the cat is finally out the bag. We’re back, and it’s bigger than ever. Get ready to meet your new favourite artists on BBC Scotland.”
Victoria Easton-Riley, head of audio for BBC Scotland said: “It’s fantastic to see BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year return for 2026. The award continues to showcase some of Scotland’s most exciting emerging musical talent, with previous winners including Bottle Rockets, Becky Sikasa and Terra Kin. Scotland has an incredibly rich music scene, and this competition offers a vital platform for new artists to be heard. I can’t wait to see the incredible acts who enter this year.”
BBC Introducing in Scotland champions the best unsigned, undiscovered and under-the-radar music Scotland has to offer every Friday night from 8-10pm on BBC Radio Scotland. This competition represents part of its mission to spotlight emerging Scottish artists and support the country’s thriving music community.
