2026 COMPETITION

Congratulations to everyone who participated in Zildjian’s Young Drummer of the Year competition. Thank you for making this another incredible year. Stay tuned for updates on the 2027 competition!

2026 ZILDJIAN YOUNG DRUMMER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION RESULTS

Winner - ELLIS GATES

Congratulations to the 2026 competition winner, Ellis Gates!

TOP 10 FINALISTS

Here is the 2026 final 10 in forename alphabetical order.

Ellis Yan Kei Gates

Ethan Osahn

Jackson Walker

James Roland

Jamie Hilton

Karl Prah

Kingsley Asamoah

Oscar Robinson

Preston Conway Ssekandi

Thomas Fruin Ockenden

TOP 40 FINALISTS

Here is the 2026 final 40 in forename alphabetical order.

  • Ayden Jakes

    Daniel Darkwa

    Demar Potgieter

    Ellis Yan Kei Gates

    Ethan Osahn

    Ethan Regan

    Harvey Little

    Hugo Jackson

    Jackson Walker

    James Edgar

    James Roland

    Jamie Hilton

    Jared Lee Farmer

    Jay Prior

    Josh Babalola

    Karl Prah

    Kingsley Asamoah

    Kirby Sharland

    Lawrence Jermaine Cubagee

    Lewis Meehan

  • Luca Simone

    Lucas Pender

    Lucy Bedwell

    Lulin Felix Plouhinec

    Nikodem Hodur

    Noah Nash

    Oliver Turner

    Oscar Burton

    Oscar Robinson

    Preston Conway Ssekandi

    Samuel Bickmore

    Samuel jordan adu

    Thomas Fruin Ockenden

    Tobi Ogunbiyi

    Toby Miles-Bourke

    Tommaso Castellano

    Tommy Kaye

    Will Syms

    Zacariah Ahmed

    Zachary Modi