Dark Horses

Dark Horses Qualifying Round

This is your way to the world final! The Dark Horses Qualifications are held on the 21st of August 2025 at 45 Special night club in Oulu, Finland. The contestants are either sent in by the national organizations, or Air Guitarists signed up through an open call. Some of these contestants will be fighting and playing their way to the final stage!

Spend an unforgettable night with us when Dark Horses battle their way to the Friday’s final. The night will be filled with masterful international Air Guitar talent, Aireoke, and an atmosphere you can’t find anywhere else.

Early Bird Sign-Up for the Dark Horses Qualifying Round has now closed

Signing up to Dark Horses Qualifying Round happens in two patches. The first Early Bird sign-up opens mid-May and the second Mid-July. Dark Horses will be chosen through a raffle – not on first come first served basis!

Early Bird Sign-Up open from 13th to 20th of May

This year the first round of sign-ups prioritizes those competitors, whose home countries do not host national championships. This is a way to take into consideration those Air Guitarists who won’t have the opportunity brought by the nationals, to represent as their countries national champion at the final, or as the official Dark Horse at the qualifications.

Ten (10) Dark Horses will be drawn from the first round of sign-ups. First, the spots will be raffled between those competitors whose home countries don’t host nationals. If any free spots still remain, the rest will be raffled between those competitors whose home countries do host nationals.

The sign-up form has now closed. All signed-up competitors will be notified by Friday 23rd of May whether they got picked. The chosen Dark Horses will then be asked to pay a 25 € entry fee within a week, to confirm their spot in the qualifications.

Second Sign-Up Round Mid-July

The second round of sign-ups will open mid-July. Specific dates will be published closer. The Dark Horses will be raffled from this round as well, but this time all competitors have equal chances to get chosen.

Timetable 2025

August 20: Airientation

August 21: Dark Horses Qualification

August 22: The World Final