Battle of the Bands – Qualifying Rounds
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Battle of the Bands – Qualifying Rounds
Come to the Fair. See your band. Cast your vote. Help them advance.
Arizona’s homegrown talent is taking over the Backyard Stage every Thursday night!
Four Arizona bands will perform live each qualifying night, but only one band will advance to the Grand Finale. Along with our guest judges, the audience gets a vote – which means your favorite band needs YOU in the crowd.
Bring your friends, family and fellow fans to the Arizona State Fair, cheer on your favorite band and cast your vote to help them earn a spot in the Grand Finale inside Veterans Memorial Coliseum on October 29.
Battle of the Bands is FREE with Fair admission.
How It Works
4 Bands Compete → Each band performs a 20-minute live set.
You Help Decide → Guest judges AND the live audience cast their votes.
1 Band Advances → One winner from each Thursday night moves on to the Grand Finale.
The Winner Is Revealed LIVE → Stick around! Each qualifying winner will be announced live after the votes are tallied.
Qualifying Rounds
October 1 • October 8 • October 15 • October 22
6:30-8:30 PM | Backyard Stage
FREE with Fair admission.
IT ALL LEADS TO THE GRAND FINALE
Thursday, October 29 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Four qualifying-round winners will take over the legendary Madhouse on McDowell for one final showdown.
Four finalists. One stage. One Grand Champion.
Come back October 29 to see who will be crowned the 2026 Arizona State Fair Battle of the Bands Grand Champion and take home the $3,000 grand prize!
FREE with Fair admission.