Battle Of The Bands

Date: October 1, 2026 7:00 PM

Preliminary Rounds • October 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2026
FINALE • October 29
Band Check-In • 5:30pm - 6:30pm* (*walk up registration is not available)
Performances • 7pm

Apply Today!

Are You Ready To Rock? The Battle Is On!

Submit your band application to participate or come cheer on the bands! Groups are judged on visual presentation, sound, preparedness and overall performance.

Applications will be available via the Prairie Meadows website for online submission and will be open for one month from 12am on Monday, August 10, 2026, to 11:59pm on Sunday, September 13, 2026. Bands selected will be contacted the week of Monday, September 14, 2026, to Friday, September 18, 2026, to be notified of their acceptance into the competition and their performance date.

You can also be a part of the competition excitement by voting for your favorite band.

At the end of Week 4’s preliminary round on Thursday, October 22, 2026, short videos of each band that had performed and were not selected to advance will be posted to social media.
The public will have the opportunity to vote for a band to be invited back to the finals via a fan favorite vote. Results will be made public Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10am.
To vote for fan favorite, participants must have a Prairie Gold Rewards card, which can be obtained at the Prairie Gold Rewards Desk on Casino Level 2.

OPEN ROUNDS • THURSDAYS, October 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2026.

HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS

A total of 8 bands will be selected to participate in the event.

All band members must be 21 years of age or older.

Two bands per night will compete weekly. Weekly winners are selected by judges and will advance to the finale held on Thursday, October 29, 2026 for the opportunity to win the cash prizes. Applications will be available via Prairie Meadows’ website for online submission and will be open from 12am on Monday, August 10, 2026, to 11:59pm on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

Applications will require band members names, contact information, Prairie Gold Rewards numbers, performance availability, audio files, bio, and promotional photos.
At the end of Week 4’s preliminary round on Thursday, October 22, 2026, short videos of each band that had performed thus far and had not been selected to advance to the finals on Thursday, October 29, 2026 will be posted to social media—where the public will have the opportunity to vote for a band to be invited back to the finals via a fan favorite vote. Results will be made public on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10am.

A panel of three Judges will decide who moves on to the finals by a combined number of scores for:

Audience Interaction (25 Points)
Choice of Songs (25 Points)
Stage Presence (25 Points)
Technical Skill (25 Points)
100 total points possible

During the finale round on October 29, 2026, the five bands invited back to participate will have the opportunity to perform three songs of their choice (approved by Prairie Meadows Marketing Staff prior to the performances) for a panel of three judges.

FINALE • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29

Don’t miss the exciting conclusion! Come out to see who earns the title of Battle Of The Bands champion and grand prize winner of $10,000. Performances begin at 7pm in the Finish Line Show Lounge.