PHASE 1
January 6 – March 19, 2026
APPLICATIONS & SELECTION
PHASE 2
March 20 - March 28, 2026
PRE-QUALIFICATIONS
Before the live competition begins on March 4, 2026, artists move through a structured qualification process.
Required short performance video, including a brief performance and a short introduction explaining why the artist is a strong fit for UpNext: The Rise
Pre-competition qualifying round via Zoom, reviewed by industry executives and the UpNext team
PHASE 3
April 4 – September 30, 2026
THE COMPETITION
The competition officially launches on March 4. Artists actively compete through:
• Real-world creative challenges
• TikTok LIVE performances
• Short-form content and storytelling
• Audience engagement and community building
• Mentorship, feedback, and ongoing evaluation
Artists are continuously evaluated across: Demand, Discipline, Scalability (Innovation), and Durability.
PHASE 4
June 15 - July 28, 2026
TOUR & LIVE ACTIVATIONS
12 POP-UP STREET CONCERTS
June 15 - July 2, 2026
• Unannounced, high-visibility pop-up performances
• Organic audience testing without advance promotion
• High-impact short-form and LIVE content capture
• Early proof of demand, presence, and adaptability
• Real-world testing of stage command & crowd conversion
These pop-ups serve as an early pressure test:
Can the artist stop people, hold attention, and create momentum in the wild?
8-CITY MINI BUS TOUR
July 10 - July 28, 2026
• Live performances across eight markets
• Creator-led TikTok LIVE broadcasts from each city
• Fan engagement, meetups, and brand integrations
• Consistency, endurance, and scalability tested at scale
The competition continues throughout the tour.
PHASE 5
September 13 – September 17, 2026
THE FINALE (LIVE PERFORMANCES)
The Final 8 artists perform live at a New York City music venue
Live audience and professional production
Livestreamed audience participation
Final evaluations completed
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
September 30, 2026
Final results announced
Winner officially crowned
Prize distribution and $250K career acceleration package activated
This window allows for final scoring validation, content rollout, press and partner amplification